Beltway Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary-Wed., Oct. 23,2002

Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences | October 23, 2002 | Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences

[Peach]

Let's keep a live commentary thread going again today. The FBI Tip Line #1-888-324-9800.

All seems quiet since yesterday's news the shooter may target children specifically. It was released on various news outlets the shooter's 3-page letter to police was in broken English and threatened extreme violence. Police announced an electronic transfer of $10m as requested by the shooter was not possible but other options for transfer remain open. No one seriously believes police will actually give the shooter $$, but police are trying to keep a dialogue open with the shooter in an effort to capture this monster.

[looney tune]

didn't understand the significance

There goes his chance for "Agent of the Month" award

[areafiftyone]

This guy has a problem with authority. With people telling him what to do. He was very angry that people hung up on him. He wants to dictate everything here. He is playing GOD!!! I would say someone who hates the cops or any LE unit. Just doesn't add up to Al-Qaeda.

[not-an-ostrich]

Extreme anger and yelling "I AM GOD" sure doesn't seem to match with a cool and methodical sniper.

[aristeides]

"Five people had to die" because of it, the letter said, according to one law enforcement source who has seen a copy of the letter.

This letter was sent at the time of the shooting in Ashland Saturday. At that point the sniper had killed 9 people (now 10). Presumably he could not know at that point whether the shooting victim would survive or not.

So, at the time he made this statement, he was thinking he had killed either 9 or 10 people. That means he started phoning the tip number after either his 4th or 5th victim. At the end of his shooting spree on the morning of Oct. 3, he had killed 5 people. Since presumably he would not have made his call in the middle of the spree, this presumably means he started calling at the end of the spree that morning, Oct. 3.

At that time, the tip number did not yet exist. But there were other numbers that people were being asked to call then. I wonder if any record was kept of the numbers from which calls were being received.

[tomkat]

we must be almost neighbors.
('cept you drive way slower than me ... )

[aristeides]

He kept the names of the people who answered the phone. Could Linda Franklin have been one of them?

[Peach]

Hmmm, that almost makes me change my mind (again) and police should release the note - photocopies of the handwriting and all.

[HitmanLV]

When will they tell us that this is an act of terror and not just a serial killer?

Only when the absolutely have to.

As much as I admire President Bush & company, voted for them and will vote for them again, they are reluctant to use the 'terrorism' unless they have to.

If, on 9-11, only one plane slammed into the WTC, I habve no doubt that we would have been told of a 'tragic accident.' No "T" word.

If, on 9-11 a plane goes down in Pennsylvania, and that was it, the "T" word would never have been used.

Like Egyptian Air. Or TWA 800. Sad thing is, either or both of those things may have been accidents - probably were, but as far as I am concerned, everything is suspect now.

A mad shooter at LAX on July 4th? Just a rouge nut. Keep moving.

An assasin in the DC area? Some lone yahoo, with some decent skills, a love for guns, probably plays too many video games, and women shun him because he is 'odd." Forget the fact that he (or they) masterfully elude law enforcement, and set up (what I figure must be) foreign bank accounts for a wire transfer of $ 10 million.

Nah, any nut can do that.

They will only admit to terror when they have to - like is the 'lone sniper' attacks 6 people all over the region within 60 minutes - hey, how did he get 60 miles away in 20 minutes????

Bad moon rising, I fear. Bad moon rising.

[areafiftyone]

He kept the names of the people who answered the phone

Who? The Sniper? YIKES! That's scary!!!

[Sacajaweau]

Boy, the thought of him beaing as dangerous or as good as AQ probably raised his ego and got him to the point where he is. This money grab doesn't seem to follow very well as the original intention of his acts.

Sac

[areafiftyone]

You betcha. He was feeding off of all these terrorism stories and probably feels like a big shot. This guy is feeling like he is GOD and can dictate to everyone when they should be scared and when they can breath a little.

[mystery-ak]

I still think the money demand is a ruse....

[looney tune]

If they call it terrorism and it is a local nutjob, they will lose credibilty with the public. I suspect they have fears of far greater attacks that will cause massive casualties - and they don't want to "cry wolf" & call this guy a terrorist (yet).

[HitmanLV]

Yea, but he had to set up the account to get wired the money. That wasn't a whim he came up with in the last week.

[wewillnotfail]

I habe done nothing of the kind. I have considered both possibilities but have no where near the kind of proof that
I would require before I made up my mind. You make declarative statements which I assume means you have more
info than I do and I'm curious as to how you have come to
your conclusions.

[Cvengr]

Fox & Friends just reported an interesting book/article out,...wherein the author gave actual stats on the nationalities of the Al-Quada members prior to 9-11.

30 Americans, 1600 N. Africans, 875 SaudiArabians, etc. Anybody catch the source?

[HitmanLV]

I agree - they will call it terrorism when they absolutely have to.

[areafiftyone]

A ruse for what? He wants it and will get it if he has to kill 200 people!!! This guy is not a Al-Qaeda. He is a psycho who has his OWN AGENDA!!!

[Peach]

Good analysis of what the timing of calls must have been. It's likely all calls into the police department are recorded; how long they hang onto tapes is another matter.

[aristeides]

His temper tantrum on the phone reminds me of Atta's antics.