Posted on 10/14/2002 2:44:20 AM PDT by MadIvan
Intelligence experts in Washington are increasingly concerned that the gunman known as the "psycho-sniper" could be a terrorist with links to Islamic terror groups.
From the evidence gathered so far, which includes a handwritten note by the gunman, investigators think English may not be his first language.
The shootings, which have left eight dead in fewer than 12 days, coincided with a warning that Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network is planning new attacks. The FBI warned last Wednesday that supporters of Bin Laden were "targeting key sectors of the US economy" and has long suspected that a number of "sleeper" cells are still active.
The latest victim, on Friday morning, was father-of-six Kenneth Bridges, gunned down at a petrol station in Fredericksburg.
Investigators are troubled by the gunman's behaviour, in particular his habit of selecting targets at random. Recent reports suggest he may have a female accomplice and drives a large white van.
I think so too. Although a psychopathic looney might do so, the Islamic warrior could easily rationalize this from the constant barrage of Palestinian propaganda saying the US enables Israel to kill Palestinian children, etc.
We need to do a little mental experiment here. Suppose you own a business that operates this kind of truck. Now 10 people have been shot and the police announce they are looking for a truck like one of yours. Are you not going to inspect them? Are you not going to consider where they were at the time of the shootings? And who was driving?
Let's say you have a dozen or so employees. Are all of them going to be so deficient in curiosity that they don't compare notes as to where they were at the time of the shootings?
I believe there are at least three people involved, so that each has an alibi for at least one shooting. In my mind this makes it more likely to be organized terrorism.
I agree with you. The only thing that annoys me is the argument about the text of the letter as proof of their being AQ terrorists. I keep posting the same link over and over again but some people keep going on and on with it. If they're AQ, it won't be because of the message. That's all I'm saying. And I agree, we need to keep an open mind. I try to.
I think so too. Although a psychopathic looney might do so, the Islamic warrior could easily rationalize this from the constant barrage of Palestinian propaganda saying the US enables Israel to kill Palestinian children, etc.
I heard on one of the 911 tv shows that the religious gurus of al-quaeda had long discussions of this. Basically they decided they could kill everyone and god will sort it out.
There seems to be very little crossover, ie., cases in which a serial killer targets random adults and who also targets young children.
Probably gave Atta more motivation to kill the filthy degenerate infidels. - Tom
I would think this would be standard procedure around a metropolitan area. I live not far from K.C. This bi-state city, like any major city and D.C., has a perimeter highway. There is no distinction between Mo and KS should there be an Amber Alert, etc. I would guess it is the same around DC.
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But everything changed this weekend with the composite photo and specific details about the truck. By now the father/owner would have to KNOW it's his truck and start suspecting something. What would the brothers do? Run away? Kill their parents? Who knows? One thing for sure: if the truck is being used again, it rules out the older kids theory IMO. I would see it as an in your face politically motivated terrorist attack.
I agree with you regarding younger killers. I guess I dismiss this theory because of the expertise of the nature of the crime. I find it difficult to believe that the sniper(s) is a young person. I guess I just think that a person young enough to not care about targeting a child would not be capable of the sophistication and expertise of this particular series of crimes. But that's just my feeling, I certainly could be wrong, thus throwing off my argument.
Another possibility is that somebody who is against our war on terror was inspired by the little information reported to the public about the tape...and came up with this "psycho sniper" thing.
There's a good chance the person we're looking for is not white.
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