You're right, I agree - the framing and wording is completely out of place. Fleeing from repression does not justify such horrible violence. What irks me most

You're right, I agree - the framing and wording is completely out of place. Fleeing from repression does not justify such horrible violence. What irks me most is the phrase "resulting in the group’s desperate decision to commit this act of mass violence." I would even argue that mass violence is not something one can commit out of desperation, it requires a frightening committment.