Posted on 11/22/2022 12:22:51 PM PST by Red Badger
Police initially said there was "no imminent threat" to the community, but with no suspect identified more than a week after four students were fatally stabbed, students say they remain fearful and frustrated.
VIDEOS AT LINK......................
Mixed messaging and unclear answers from police would have given whoever fatally stabbed four students in the Idaho college town of Moscow more time to flee, law enforcement experts say.
As the investigation entered its second week without a suspect and police expanded a dragnet around the students' off-campus home, Moscow Police Chief James Fry told reporters Sunday that "I can't say if the person's here; I can't say what community the person's in."
That uncertainty — with the killer or killers still at large — has fueled a mounting frustration among students at the University of Idaho, the victims' families and the wider community, and put a focus on the local police's handling of the investigation into the slayings in the early morning hours of Nov. 13.
"There's definitely a lot of confusion about the mixed messages," said Emma Jackson, 18, a freshman who left the campus early ahead of the Thanksgiving break. "I'm frustrated by the lack of information and the change from no threat to a possible threat, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is wanting more clarity or who is uneasy about returning to school if no suspects are found before the end of the break."
In the hours after the victims' bodies were discovered in their private residence about a half-block from the university, Moscow police told the public that while "there is no one in custody," the department "does not believe there is an ongoing community risk."
Two days later, police described the slayings as an "isolated, targeted attack" in which an "edged weapon" like a knife was used. No weapon was located, and officials continued to say there was "no imminent threat."
But that changed the following day: "We cannot say there is no threat to the community," Fry said at a news conference Nov. 16.
John DeCarlo, a professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven and a former police chief in Branford, Connecticut, said there is a particular urgency in those initial hours of a homicide investigation. He said informing the public to be vigilant about suspicious activity is key guidance in potentially apprehending the killer or killers, who would otherwise have the opportunity to evade law enforcement.
"The big question remains why, in a multiple homicide, did the police department say that there was no clear threat to the community?" he said. It's "something that you have to explain. Otherwise, you're leaving people with a false sense of security."
Criminologist explains significance of murder weapon in Idaho case NOV. 21, 202202:47 Unclear, as well, was when Moscow police asked for assistance from more robust law enforcement agencies.
It was two days after the slayings when the department said in a news release that it was "working closely" with the Idaho State Police and other state and federal agencies. Neither Moscow police nor the state police returned requests for comment about when additional law enforcement resources were requested. As many as 20 state police investigators and 15 patrol troopers are now assisting, while the FBI said it dispatched 22 investigators to Moscow, with additional agents on the case.
"We brought in the resources that we brought in to keep our community as safe as we can," Fry said Sunday.
His insistence followed days of rumors about the victims, including unfounded speculation that their deaths were tied to a "crime of passion." That initial assurance of no danger to the community led the father of one victim to call out the police.
"The silence further compounds our family's agony after our son's murder," Ethan Chapin's father, Jim, said in a statement, adding, "I urge officials to speak the truth, share what they know, find the assailant, and protect the greater community."
Moscow's police force of 36 officers and personnel covers a largely rural city of almost 26,000 residents, with the population swelling by the thousands when the university is in session. Officers typically deal with noise complaints, domestic disputes and disorderly conduct calls.
These murders will seriously impact enrollment for next year. The cities economy heavily relies on enrollment and it is that time of year. I would assume they are attempting to downplay these murders by asserting they were targeted.
from what I understand a knife murder is usually incredibly personal and requires a lot of anger. And the more times they stab someone the more feelings were involved.
Translation: the police don’t have any idea what happened.
Yes, typically a knife murder, when not connected to a robbery, is a very internalized act.
The murderer may have been known to these 4 students in some off-hand way, and was rebuffed by one of the ladies, and backed up by the male.
This would not surprise me, if true................
From what I’ve read this doesn’t seem random. There is a common denominator which hasn’t been discovered.
It does seem that they were targeted, since there were two other females asleep in the house and they were not harmed................
what you described is exactly what I suspect happened.
I “think” the police said nothing was stolen from home, simply there to kill and leave apparently.
Usually. But Danny Rollings did the same thing at a sorority in Florida as purely an act of anonymous serial murder.
didn’t I hear something about someone killed a pet nearby shortly before this?
Yeah, but that could be a red herring. Put it in your back pocket but be skeptical all the while.
Yes, there was a pet dog killed and skinned about three miles away about a month previous.............
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4111006/posts
I can’t just see someone starting off by murdering 4 people, surely that have some history of killing something before.
At the risk of being called a bigot, this type of behavior is characteristic of a Muslim society male or a Mexican Drug Gang member. Either could be enraged by a female publicly embarrassing him and wanting revenge.................
Richard Speck had no prior murders I know of. And he killed 8 nurses in a single night.
It isn’t personal with a certain belief. Just look at knife murders in Europe.
In my book it’s either a spurned lover/stalker, drug related or a serial killer. In order of probability.
Richard Speck had no prior murders I know of. And he killed 8 nurses in a single night.
++++++++++++++
True. If I’m a Moscow resident, or any where near there, I sure wouldn’t be listening to some jackass LEO when they tell me there is “no imminent threat”. Always carry.
I wonder how much physical evidence left by the perp(s) they will find.
Yes, most likely a spurned lone male who is psychotic.....................
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