Maryland Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary

Fox, CNN, Press Conferences | October 9, 2002 | Fox, CNN, Press Conferences

[Peach]

Another press conference due soon. To avoid multiple vanity threads regarding any news that comes from press conferences, thought we'd keep a live commentary thread going again today.

[Peach]

No indulgence necessary! It's hard to keep up with the real news and there has been so much mis-reporting it's difficult to sort fact from fiction. I THINK the police believe all the shootings have been from inside a vehicle, with the exception of the school shooting on Monday. Re your comment about leaving tarot cards all along, taunting LEO's - it does seem the sniper would have been leaving his "signature" in the form of a card all along and not sure what has motivated him to do so now.

[Peach]

Well, it's nearly 7:30 a.m. EST and we've yet to have a press conference. Have been hearing there would be a press conference "momentarily" since 5:45 a.m. EST.

[harpseal]

As of this AM the Tarot card has not been confirmed by the police. It is an unsubstaniated newspaper report so far. There have been way too many instances of misinformation getting accepted as fact before we have confirmation.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[illstillbe]

Moose ... "It's inappropriate for me to comment about the card. There has been no information authorized for release by me."

[DonQ]

My amateur theory: This indicates that the sniper (or one of them) is English-speaking. An examination of his handwriting might indicate more about his education, background, age, etc. He evidently doesn't have any spirituality; he's not only unafraid to describe himself as God but also unafraid to deface a tarot deck.

The tarot card might itself be a clue. If it's new, he may have bought the deck for the purpose of using a card to leave a message. There are at least a dozen different tarot decks on the market; the Waite design is sold everywhere, but some of the other decks are sold only in a few places.

I don't think there is a racial or other slant to his targets; he seems to shoot "targets of opportunity" as they appear out of doors (so far, he hasn't shot anyone inside a car or house). But, one odd thing, one victim in Maryland and the one in Virginia were each shot at shopping centers with a "Michael's" art supply store. Maybe that is pure coincidence.

[Peach]

Saw Chief Moose on GMA and he seemed upset that the info on the tarot card was released. Do wonder if the card actually read "I am Allah" and police are smart enough to pretend outrage at release, and at the same time taunt sniper to leave another message with more information.

[Peach]

What is Chief Moose talking about? I don't get it, but haven't had second cup of tea yet and not fully awake.

[Merovingian]

Chief MOOSE is extremely upset that this info was released.. Also upset that the "talking heads", former LE officials are out of line doing all their describing, etc.."May be fun to be on TV, but they do not live here...they are not briefed, they have an absolute EGO problem..I plead with them to STOP..

These are people who are out there out of jobs putting their faces on TV...this is an interference..

[Miss Marple]

The Chief is making a good point about all the "experts" on television ranting and raving and making statements about who the killer prpobably is, which is causing people not to call the tip line.

Says that these people are using this crime to get face time on TV and asking them to quit, and asks the media to quit using them. WOW! The Washington Post or Channel 9 is not going to solve this case, and if the people of the community want to have the media solve it, then they can take a vote and we will go do other police work.

[Peach]

Okay, he's ticked at the media (get in line). Wants people in his community to let him know if they want Channel 9 to work the case or police to work the case.

[Lil'freeper]

it will make it easier to catch him.

Agreed. They need to stop talking about schools and set a trap- wag the dog style:
Chief MOOSE: But the citizens should not worry about the warehouse on x street. We have the warehouse on x street covered. We have air cover, k9 units, thermal sensors. It is perfectly safe. NO ONE can get through our perimeter to the warehouse on x street.
PRESS: Chief, chief- what's so special about the warehouse?
Chief MOOSE: The citizens should rest assured that we are doing everything possible to protect the warehouse....

[Peach]

I'm getting his point, and it's a good one, but naive if he thinks people in today's culture can resist the lure of the microphone. It's unfortunate and these people consume a lot of otherwise empty air time.

[kristinn]

I vote for Channel 9. The chief is arrogant and insulting this morning. He's more angry about being second-guessed than the shootings, it seems.

[stlnative]

All I can say is WOW! - You can't blame him for speaking his mind on what is going on with the media and this case.

[Catspaw]

Good for Chief Moose! He's really ticked at the media, especially the talking heads speculating about the murderer.

[ChadGore]

Can we get some FR exprts on TV ?

[harpseal]

Am I correct in interpreting that Chief Moose neither confirmed nor denied the accuracy of the Tarrot Card report?

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[IoCaster]

This police chief is in way over his head on this case. He looks like he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

[harpseal]

Did the Chief actually confirm there was a Tarrot Card?

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[nicmarlo]

Good for Chief Moose! He's really ticked at the media

Especially channel 9.....

Edie on Fox is saying huge flaw, brought up John Walsh. Steve saying Moose has been on the air every day appealing to public.....so, media can be useful and helpful. But I understand Moose's frustration....some things should probably not be released to public....