US sniper may be linked to Bin Laden (DC SNIPER ALERT)

The Evening Standard ^ | October 14, 2002 | James Langton

[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.

[Elenya]

With the introduction Chief Moose made at today's press conference of a post office box for correspondence, it doesn't seem like they feel they are anywhere close to solving this thing.

I missed it. Can you give me more details? What else was said, if anything?

[KsSunflower]

Do you think this is significant?

[Demidog]

Point out where there has been stepped up Serbian paramilitary activity, particularly abroad.

Most of the "stepped up" Al Queda activity is speculative. At any rate, what occurs somewhere else isn't indicative of what is occurring in Maryland or D.C. without some corroborating EVIDENCE. You've heard of evidence haven't you?

[Demidog]

When did Serbia claim responsibility for the attack in Bali?

When has Al Queda claimed responsibility for any attack at all? One will do and please provide a link or source.

[hosepipe]

"The "I am God" note indicates that the sniper either thinks he is like God in killing indiscriminately or doing the will of God by killing Americans. This does make sense however. I will post updates as I get them"

Again, not to sound like a broken record, but fits Louie "the lip" FARakind completely, and/or his troops. After all, He thinks hes JESUS

[KsSunflower]

He didn't say much else...He came out, had this address printed on a piece of paper and said that it could be used by anyone needing to communicate with police regarding this case. He said something about people who don't have e-mai or electronic means of communication.

After that, he didn't really say anything of significance. They asked if he was wanting the sniper to communicate through this address, but of course..it wasn't appropriate to comment on that question.

Nothing else of note...................

[Elenya]

Thanks for the update. I do hope they know more than they let us know. I'm sure they do BTW.

[Asmodeus]

Potentially very significant as they now may have a handwriting sample of the shooter as well as the bullet fragment evidence to identify the rifle and a handwriting sample is routinely followed by an extensive check of public records for a match.

[Mitchell]

Tarot cards were brought to Europe by the Arabs.

From what I've read, ordinary playing cards were brought to Europe by the Arabs (having been invented in China earlier). Tarot cards are thought to have originated in 15th-century Italy, not long after the introduction of playing cards.

Tarot cards are popular in several Moslem countries

Yes, I don't doubt this at all.

[mercy]

No musli would ever say ... even in jest ... "I am God". But then why are we so sure the tarot card was actually dropped by the gunman? If they have real indications the card was dropped by the shooter ( like right next to a shell casing ) then that is ANOTHER reason it isn't a musli. They would not even TOUCH a tarot card.

[JohnAPestrosius]

From the beginning "Attention policeman" sounded to me like something foreigner would say

[john in missouri]

What a depressing read. I think it's time to shut down the web browser and put on some jazz.

[cake_crumb]

No one knows exactly when Tarot cards were invented, but it was in the 13th or 14th century...which makes my earlier statement that Muslims developed their own deck decorations in the 12th (or whatever I said)

HOWEVER: Let's put the debate about whether or not Muslims use Tarot cards to rest. THEY DO USE TAROT CARDS. These people are into ANY form of mysticism that takes their fancy. The general consensus is that Tarot was invented in Europe...but for years, Muslims have been trying to take credit for it (like they do with Algebra, which was invented in India). One guy, who isn't worthy of a link, even says that Tarot was developed in Egypt 4,000 years ago...which is, as usual with Muslim hijacking of history and other cultures, total BS.

http://www.tarotplanet.com/Catalog/Islam.htm....in fact, there does not seem to be any debate on the subject as far as Muslims are concerned.

[Mr. Mojo]

Guess the Brits didn't get the memo. You aren't allowed to use the "T" word.

Yep....but more precisely, you aren't allowed to use the "T" word if the acts occur on American soil. Anywhere else, and the use of the "T" word is almost mandatory.

A plane gets blown out of the sky over NY on Veterans' Day? ...The only "T" word used that day was "turbulence."

An Arab gunmen kills several people at LAX on Independence Day? ...No "T" word. It was just some "deranged nut."

Regarding the NJ shootings, terrorism is on the minds of most thinking people, but on the lips on virtually no one.

[cake_crumb]

"No musli would ever say ... even in jest ... 'I am God'."

They would if they had a dream towards dawn, when the evil djin who bring bad dreams have turned in for the night. In the last few hours before dawn, Muslims believe they get "true dreams" from their god (because the evil djinn are tired and have apparently gone to their own beds by then)

So, if the shooter is a devout Muslim who is being directed by "God" - HIS god - then he very well might pass on a message he believes his god has told him to give. Religious wackos are the same all over.

[Mr. Mojo]

I meant the Maryland/DC shootings....not NJ.

[ExSoldier]

From the moment the first shots dropped victims...I have said this is a terrorist attack and it's being perpetrated by a sleeper cell not by terrorists imported for just this operation as in 9/11. A sleeper cell will be at least somewhat adept in spreading disinformation in an attempt to divert any investigation as long as possible in order to keep dropping targets. The gas stations are the economic attack...NOT WALL STREET! Yes, New York may still be on the target list for bigger stuff...but the little mosquito bites can have a draining effect on local economies just as much as a massive attack can. I would look for these random shootings to spread across the USA as the effects become known and sleeper cells elsewhere say:

"Hey thats a good idea! WE CAN DO THAT!"

The only hope we have of stopping this for sure is an alert, trained and ARMED populace so that the next time shots are fired.....shots will be returned instantly with deadly accuracy. If that happens....say goodbye forever to all the gun control schemes. It's that possibility that has the Schumers and Kennedy's all trying to drive through as much anti-gun legislation as possible...now. The bad guys want gun control too, which is why these sniper attacks will continue so that the legislation will get rammed through and make it so much easier for the ENEMY to keep killing Americans. Dare I say it? GUN CONTROL IS TREASON.

[Nogbad]

From what I've read, ordinary playing cards were brought to Europe by the Arabs
(having been invented in China earlier).
Tarot cards are thought to have originated in 15th-century Italy,
not long after the introduction of playing cards.

Yes, you are right, I was wrong.
It would be interesting to know the origin
of the Tarot cards in use in the Middle East.

Were they of moslem origin, or were they reintroduced by the Venetians who occupied Cyprus for many years?

[fivecatsandadog]

I would look for these random shootings to spread across the USA as the effects become known and sleeper cells elsewhere say: "Hey thats a good idea! WE CAN DO THAT!"

I don't think the sleeper cells operate independently from the "mother ship" or the other cells. Geez, think of the chaos if this were true, not to mention the attention and risk of discovery. Thought I read somewhere that they wait to receive specific orders and then carry them out.

[Nogbad]

It seems the history of Tarot cards is not all that clear.
Tarot cards originally were just one form of playing cards.
All types of playing cards were at times used for divination.
The Visconti-Sforza Tarocchi deck apparently had its originis in 'Arabia'.

The Italian word for Tarot is "Tarocchi"
which gives credence to the idea that the name comes
from the Arabic "Turuq" i.e. 4 ways.

Tarot-Decks