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Posted on 11/28/2003 8:42:42 PM PST by flutters

I-270 Shootings: Public's Assistance Still Needed

Authorities Want To Open Dialogue With Person, Persons Involved

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Investigators looking into a series of shootings on Interstate 270 said Friday that they would like to open dialogue with the person or persons responsible for at least 10 shootings along that stretch of road.

One of the shootings led to the death of a 62-year-old woman Tuesday.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office Chief Steve Martin said that the shootings were not accidental, but intentional.

Ballistics tests revealed that Tuesday's shooting was "positively linked" to at least one other shooting case and "investigators cannot eliminate the possibility that several other reported cases are related as well."

At a Friday afternoon news conference, Martin said that investigators were making progress with the investigation and are seeking the public's assistance into finding more clues about the suspect or suspects. "Please contact the tip line at (614) 462-4646 so arrangements can be made so we can establish communications with you," Martin said, addressing the person or people who may have been involved in the shootings.

Authorities have been investigating 10 shootings on or near a stretch of I-270. On Tuesday, Gail Knisley, 62, was killed after a bullet ripped through the driver's door of her best friend's car on I-270, narrowly missing the driver.

The latest shooting was confirmed Thursday. A Columbus woman who got a flat tire Oct. 10 while driving near the interstate found out from workers replacing the tire that a bullet was to blame, Martin said. She did not file a police report at the time, but she called authorities after hearing about the other shootings. Martin said that the shooter or shooters are probably comfortable with the area in southern Franklin County where the shootings have taken place.

He urged all citizens to watch for personality or behavior changes with family members, co-workers, and friends.

Some of those changes of a possible suspect include: „h Changing a normal routine, 24 to 48 hours after a shooting „h Missing work or other engagements „h Taking an unscheduled vacation or calling in sick to work „h Showing an intense interest in the status of investigation, including discussing, saving articles, or taping television newscasts „h Showing anxiety, nervousness, irritability, or changing sleeping habits „h Using alcohol, or showing a change in weight „h Taking an unscheduled work trip or visiting relatives „h Altering appearance, including shaving or growing hair, or changing hairstyle.

Martin stressed that the sheriff's office is seeking input from citizens in the community, no matter how insignificant the information could appear.

Although Ohio's deer hunting season opens on Monday, Martin said that there were no plans to change the laws. He did, however, say that if someone sees a hunter doing anything suspicious to notify authorities at once. "There's no tip that's not important to us," Martin said. "It could be a two-line tip that could lead to solving these shootings. We encourage the public to tell us what they know."

"You just can't believe someone would be sick enough to be shooting at cars," Missi Knisley, Gail Knisley's daughter-in-law, said Friday. "It's a nightmare." Knisley, 35, said the family learned of the positive link on Thursday. She said it's been difficult to tell her children that someone intentionally shot their grandmother.

"I hope to God that we're going to be sitting somewhere and be looking at the person who did this and have some closure," said Knisley, a nursing home marketing director and social worker.

Martin would not speculate on the type of weapon used and said investigators are avoiding the word "sniper." He said it's unclear to detectives whether there are one or multiple shooters. He said the task force has received more than 100 tips.

Extra patrols have been assigned to the southern stretch of I-270. The sparsely populated area includes woods frequented by hunters and people practicing target shooting, along with industrial sites and some suburban neighborhoods.

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