Washington Police Investigate Another Possible Sniper Attack

VOA ^ | 10/10/02

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Police in the Washington, D.C. area say it is too early to say whether a fatal shooting in a western suburb is related to a recent series of sniper attacks that has left six people dead and two others critically wounded. Authorities say a man was shot and killed late Wednesday as he filled his car at a gasoline station in Manassas, Virginia. Forensic evidence is still being analyzed. The sniper attacks have been linked by ballistics evidence.

Reports say certain elements of the Manassas shooting bear a resemblance to the sniper shootings, which began around the Washington area last Wednesday. Like the man killed in Manassas, all of the sniper victims were shot once, seemingly at random as they performed everyday tasks. Two of the people killed last week also were gunned down at gasoline stations.

Meanwhile, authorities say they are searching for a white van seen driving away from the location of the Manassas shooting. Police have been searching for a white vehicle in connection with the shootings last week. News reports early Wednesday said police discovered what may be the first known communication from the killer: a card used in fortunetelling, said to have written on it a message telling police, "I am God."

The card, known as a Tarot card, reportedly was found, along with a spent shell casing, near a school in a Maryland suburb where a sniper attack Monday left a 13-year-old boy critically wounded.

Police officials say they did not authorize information about the card to be released to the media and refused to comment further on the matter or other details of the investigation. Federal authorities are assisting in the investigation.

[Types_with_Fist]

The shotgun was a reference to an earlier incident yesterday in which a window was shot out by buckshot NEAR where this gas station shooting occurred. I saw the talk on the thread last night too. They simply misunderstood the reports. A shotgun was never mentioned in relation to this gas station shooting.

[aristeides]

This guy likes gas stations. Strategic reasons or political ? It does offer a number of strategic advantages because the target will be still while pumping gas.

According to reports I heard on the radio, this victim had just paid for his gas and was returning to his car.

[Freedom2specul8]

I'm glad you guys think it's helpeful. Someone suggested it yesterday,and it did sounded like a good idea. There are so many threads being posted it's hard to keep track of all of them.

[aristeides]

Apparently the shooter (or whoever wrote on the tarot card) also wrote that he didn't want the card made public information (reported by Washington Post this morning.)

[Freedom2specul8]

Good question. Don't forget michael's craft stores.


You don't have the gas pump locks in your area? Do you mean the little latch that allows the handle to continue pumping the gas without you having to hold it? We still have those here if that's what you mean.

[Yaelle]

I have another idea for those who live near the area: gas up during 10 am to 5 pm hours. This guy has a job and can't risk being missed from it. He has never shot during 10-5. Makes me wonder if he works retail because they don't open until 10 am.

[Freedom2specul8]

Interesting angle..I've not seen anyone mention that before.

Formatting's not bad....that would be hard to format anyway..

I would assume the time of the shootings..are not exact..they could be off a minute or two right?

[wonders]

This is weird! That last map shows Manassas in Maryland, not Virginia. Here's the link to the Reuter's story and map, showing and describing Manassas as southwest of DC: Police Probe New Killing for Link to Sniper.

[aristeides]

Just heard on WMAL: police investigating shooting in S.E. D.C. on Southern Ave., near Prince George's County line. Fact that it's near a jurisdictional border is consistent with some of the sniper's shootings (Georgia Ave. last Thursday evening, possible at Hillandale liquor store,) but so far the sniper hasn't operated in a neighborhood as bad as this one, which has plenty of its own, un-sniper-related shootings.

[aristeides]

Fredericksburg shooting was 2 PM.

[isthisnickcool]

I suppose the times could be off by several minutes but the shootings do not SEEM to be near the prayer times.

See here for the site that constructs the prayer times schedule.

For those wishing to announce their conversion to Islam see here.

If you do convert you can wear this neat hat:

If you do convert and become confused and need your Islamic questions answered just go here. The "Ask The Imam*" site.

*The "Ask the Imam" site is not a parody or spoof. It's the real deal. Check it out. And get answers to your important questions like: Why is there a difference of opinion in Ulema in considering Jihad as farz-e-aein or farz-e-kifaya these days?

[Dead Dog]

Cool hat!

Do they get to wear it while beating their four wives and loving their goats.

Never mind, I'll ask the Imam man.

Eat Pigs!
Dead Dog

[katmom]

School VERY close to US Rtes 50 and 301...shootings in Silver Spring were in congested area not really near a major highway (495/95 is near, but not that near).

[VRWC_minion]

You don't have the gas pump locks in your area?

No, the self serve places remove them in CT. I don't know if its a business thing to avoid over pumping or state law.

[katmom]

Didn't hear about shooting but just heard on WBIG 100.3 that Suitland Parkway is closed at Suitland Road for "unidentified police activity" which is consistent with the area you mention.

[Freedom2specul8]

Oh my gosh... and the shooter has to know that!

[eno_]

Seriously, though, the sniper has pulled off some amazing performances: He has consistently been able to set up and take a shot in a crowded commercial area and get away. Surely someone has called up Horiuchi and asked: "Hey Lon, just a hypothetical, if you went hunting for innocent civilians in commercial strips, how would you do it? Not under color of authority, of course, so you would actually have to get away."

Just the fact the sniper has repeatedly done this means that a useful profile of his probable methods can be deduced by experts - and should have been by now. It isn't showing competence or inteligence that this keeps happening.

[Freedom2specul8]

LOL I'm bookmarking your post to read for later.. :)

[Freedom2specul8]

A new one aristeides? Oh Lord, please stop this guy..

[aristeides]

Hillandale liquor story right next to New Hampshire Ave. entrance to Beltway. Manassas Sunoco station right next to entrance to I-66. Bowie school right next to Rte. 50. How close to I-95 was the Fredericksburg Michaels?