[nicmarlo]

So, if a child was selected, as a specific target by this sniper, I must also consider was KsSunflower said, which sounds credible: Americans don't "single" out children for murder in random serial killings. Yes, they do murder children in serial killings, but that's their M.O., i.e., child molesters seek a target group of children. But as I have heard from psych experts, serial killer experts, this sniper is not selecting a "target group" and in that way differs from all previous serial killers....there's a randomness to the killings: women, men, and a child, of different ethnicities. Does not fit the "normal" serial killer profile. Leads me to believe the sniper is not a "serial killer" or American......(unless it's an american Johnny Jihad).

[Prodigal Son]

See my number 254. Wayne Williams targeted adults and children and I believe Jeffrey Dahmer did as well. In fact, I think the police returned a minor aged boy victim to Dahmer when they thought it was a "lover's quarrel". There is precedent for a killer mixing children/adults for victims.

[Prodigal Son]

Also, I would agree that he doesn't fit the normal serial killer profile and as such probably shouldn't be called one. Perhaps there should be a whole category devoted solely to sniper killers. I bet you'd find a lot of similarities among them.

But the random nature of his victims is a consequence of his MO. He's worked out some gimmick that allows him to shoot without being easily detected in an urban environment. Whatever it turns out to be- a truck, a disguised weapon etc- I would imagine one part of the gimmick is the speed with which he can aquire a target, shoot and have the weapon out of sight again. So when he arrives at his shooting point, I don't figure he'd waste a lot of time there lest someone notice his activity. So he goes where there are bound to be people and where there are ample escape routes to facilitate his withdrawal from the scene. He pulls up (or whatever), quickly sets up his weapon (if it isn't already set up), aquires a target, shoots and didi-maus. In this mode, I don't figure he'd waste a lot of time looking for a target- just the first person he saw that he figured he could hit.

With the boy at the school, I think he was responding to A) his own sense of invulnerability after his initial succesful shootings and B) The claim the police made that schools were safe. His initial spree left him feeling like God. Then the media/police combo tell him there are people that are immune to his power. So he purposefully shoots a kid at school to "show them" no one is exempt from his wrath.

I figure that was a risk for him to take to make his point but he was probably still able to carry out the attack using the same MO. These random gas station attacks are probably his bread and butter- they're simple, easy and he likes it. But I imagine he will want to spread his power to other regions and would look for shootings in other States.

Also, after this guy is caught, we might be in for copycats who witnessed the frenzy this killer caused. This might become the new fad for wannabe high profile killers.

[cake_crumb]

"But as I have heard from psych experts, serial killer experts, this sniper is not selecting a "target group" and in that way differs from all previous serial killers....there's a randomness to the killings: women, men, and a child, of different ethnicities. Does not fit the "normal" serial killer profile"

That is EXACTLY what has been bugging me so much about this whole case. It doesn't fit ANYTHING..unless his "target group" are Americans, regardless of age, race or gender.

"Leads me to believe the sniper is not a "serial killer" or American......(unless it's an american Johnny Jihad)."

EXACTLY. BUMP.