I read his manifesto. From it, there is no way he couldn't help himself. It's clear he was a huge narcissist and a hot-head to boot. Worst combination, especially for a cop.
I caught the same drift. He tried to set himself up as a black Serpico. It didn't pan out. Far too much "woe is me" crap. He took years to compile his entire non convincing load of silly foolishness. He should have moved to the Sudan. With his stupid mentality, he would have fit right in with those murdering idiots.
Neither the LAPD or the media are exactly known for their honesty , or integrity.
I reserve judgement.
It seems darned odd to me that a Naval officer would sulk for 4 years before going on this sort of rampage.
Second, a 31 page manifesto isn't something you spend 4 years writing, especially not with so many up to date references.
If he were that peeved he would have started writing and not stopped until he was done or had to stop for sleep, a couple days at most.
And it's not as if his life were destroyed if he could afford to have a place in Las Vegas.
There's something we're not being told.
As for Afghan weapons, in the tribal area's of Pakistan you can buy any fire arm ever made built to order in a cottage industry that has been in place for a couple hundred years from a traditional "Jezail" like was used to wound Dr Watson, right up to modern (ish) artillery pieces and anti aircraft guns.