Two recent false alarms concerning gunshots at military installations in Washington, D.C. were not terrorism related but do highlight the persistent public fear of lone wolf attacks. The massive law enforcement response to such incidents is understandable since the threat is uncertain upon arrival; it is the public response and media coverage that is of great interest to extremists seeking maximum exposure. The widespread reports of an elevated terror threat during the Fourth of July holiday weekend provided no useful specifics but did provide the Islamic State with massive publicity for zero effort. While calls for the public to remain vigilant are common sense, they need not become an incessant drumbeat, as fears of lone wolf and known wolf attackers can too easily give way to cries of wolf that are taxing and counterproductive.