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.

[Skywalk]

Other areas ARE involved--Bali, Finland, Yemen, Philippines, Kashmir, and Kuwait have all seen strangely reminiscent forms of violence in the last couple of weeks. Throw in arrests in Italy, Asia, PersianGulf and here in the US and how can we know for sure how many other murders were prevented.

Not saying it IS AQ, just that one has to look at the broader picture.

[4Freedom]

As long as they choose a route that doesn't take them near the local Dunkin Donuts, your average terrorists can saunter anywhere they like while still avoiding detection.

[mhking]

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.

Y'know, it would take an offshore newspaper to state the obvious, glaring fact that our domestic newspapers are loathe to mention out of "political correctness."

[leadpenny]

Good point. I know you know this but I was thinking of the same thing happening in other US cities.

[Jeff Head]

A devout Muslim, who is practising Jihad, can lie, decieve and say or act how he wants to infidels in the course of his "mission".

The perps of 911 did this regularly to fit into the society and look like anything but what they were.

Do not let the Tarot card be the issue that sways you. If it is a cell of terrorists, it could easily be a ruse of feint.

The way this sniper has acted has been exceedingly smart and has been exceedingly successful in creating terror. e cannot, we dare not underestimate them. IMHO, it is clearly not some kind of a "whack-job". It is much more like a stone cold professional, not attached emotionally, going about what he/they consider a "job" behind enemy lines.

Whom ever it is is acring much more like a Special Forces group on a mission than any whack-job or serial killer IMHO.

Now it could be a killer with those skills. But the more I hear and see, the more I think not. Partricularly with an accomplice. Just my opinion, and I hope I am wrong ... but if it is a terrorist, I believe they are creating a "play book" for others to use in the future.

[MadIvan]

I haven't known the Standard to get it ever too wrong. I can't say I know that much about Mr. Langton, I must admit.

Best Regards, Ivan

[AntiGuv]

Sure. And that's the reason why I expect any self-respecting Al Qaeda terrorist to bomb a prominent nightclub just like they did in Bali. Let's see. What would you do if you were an Al Qaeda terrorist? Go slinking around the D.C. area trying to make the locals too afraid to pump their own gas, or go blow up the Limelight in New York so that people nationwide are too afraid to step into an entertainment venue... I'm sorry, but Al Qaeda simply has never given the slightest evidence that they think on such a mundane scale. As shocking as all this might seem, it's definitely tame compared to blowing up embassies, blowing up Navy vessels, blowing up the Pentagon, and destroying the Twin Towers...

[tomkat]

the pali versions like to make buses go boom,
usually in low to mid income areas ...

btw, given the recent humiliation of Yasshole,
i've not seen anyone mention pali symps as a possibility here.

hmmmm ...

[dagtaggart]

... but if it is a terrorist, I believe they are creating a "play book" for others to use in the future.

It is a playbook, no matter who is doing it now. A dozen terrorists in 6 major cities doing this exact same thing. Multiply the current situation by even just this much, and increase the terror to all of us by 100 fold. Will not be surprised to see it happen.

[Samwise]

Yes, but a devout Muslim would have nothing to do with Tarot.

Devout muslims wouldn't do a lot of things that the terrorists do.

[anniegetyourgun]

Yes, I'm aware of that history, though I haven't been frequenting these threads. I realize it is much easier to think this cannot be a fellow-American too.

As for the dabbling (or even pretending to) in the occult, which is the source of Tarot, it goes to show what hypocrites Muslims are.....and who their master truly is.

[dagtaggart]

As shocking as all this might seem, it's definitely tame compared to blowing up embassies, blowing up Navy vessels, blowing up the Pentagon, and destroying the Twin Towers...

Tame? Maybe in the number of casualties. But not tame in the affect it has on Americans. What is happening now, is far scarier to most Americans than a US Embassy being bombed overseas, or the bombing of the US Cole. All of their plans to terrorize us can not be of the magnitude of the WTC/Pentagon attacks.

[4Freedom]

You're not keeping up with the latest information that's been discovered about what al-Qaida is planning.

One of the video tapes our military captured in Afghanistan gives instruction to would-be terrorists on exactly this type of operation.

These guys are sending a message that absolutely no American is safe anywhere.

They can kill you while you're pumping gas, washing your car, mowing your lawn, going to school, shopping at Michael's, waiting for the bus, etc..

You can't protect yourself by staying out of nightclubs, federal buildings or by not flying.

Stay home and they'll come and shoot you on your own lawn or driveway.

Any American can be shot to death at any time. Age, gender, race, religion, social status, employment has nothing to do with it.

That's the definition of terror.

[evad]

Yes, but a devout Muslim would have nothing to do with Tarot..

Annie..Muslims are allowed to break all normal rules in the name of Jihad which would include bars, prostitutes and even tarot cards. This has been discussed in previous threads.

[maestro]

Bump!

[evad]

Laurel MD. has a LARGE Muslim community..

...and a large AlQaeda cell.

[randita]

Laurel MD. has a LARGE Muslim community. An Arab terrorist would have no trouble "blending".

The whole DC suburbs is a melting pot. Anyone from anywhere could blend in.

[livius]

Is there anyplace that DOESN'T have a large Al Qaeda cell?

I live in Florida, and I was amazed to read that there is even one in Jacksonville, FL...

[joesnuffy]

That or he/them watches too much american tee vee

[putupon]

I think the sniper is just a psycho, probably American. A gas station near me was giving away free coffee w/ gas and a big verbal thank-you on Sat. evening because business had dropped off so badly. This was on the I-64, not I-95 corridor too. The Saudis fund Al Queda with infidel's gas money. If it is the terrorists, then they are getting an unintentended consequence.