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.

[AFPhys]

LOL --- good one ... may even outdo my post 172 for the chuckle of the day.

[MasonGal]

I haven't logged off, yet - I know - Isn't FR REAL life for all of us freepers? LOL

[stlnative]

If this SOB decides to take out 20 people at one time you can add another body bag to the count just for him, because there is no way this guy is going to walk away alive from killing 20 people at once or in any one day. It takes too long to kill 20 people and to get far enough away.

[Elenya]

Let's see who logs off first.

I think I'm gonna lose this one... :o(

[Kerberos]

"Just shows how confused we all are"

Well considering what little information we have to work with all we really can do is speculate and theorize as to what might actually be taken place here.

"Hopefully LEO’s have a better head on their shoulders"

No hopefully they have better information than we do. And I understand their need to keep the information that they do have close to the vest, I am still angry with Moose for not disclosing the information that he had about threats made against children at yesterday morning news conference. Particularly since he was questioned several times by the media concerning that point. That is information the public needs to know, no matter what the perp may be telling them. After all their job is to serve us.

[ET(end tyranny)]

Is there anything t oindicate that he said 'in one day'?

[MasonGal]

Now - don't try to stop me - I'm REALLY going to log off now - I mean it - don't even try to stop me. LOL

[Quilla]

IMHO, the killer means to bring his death toll to 20 or add 20 more to his kill total. I don't think he'd try to do it all at one time, but methodically, one at a time.

[spunkets]

"How does one search for a particular poster?"

Hit "search", then click on "find user" when it comes up. It's above the "find what" box.

[Freedom2specul8]

Remember how the terrorist on the plane told the customers to remain calm, everything would be ok? How do we know that this isn't a terrorist pretending to want 10 mil to throw everyone off?

RANSOM DEMAND ‘BALONEY': EXPERT
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/774197/posts

[Elenya]

No hopefully they have better information than we do.

I'm sure they do. In fact, I'm feeling a little more optimistic right now, and I think if he's a nutcase, they'll catch him today. There. I just made my day!

[Chemist_Geek]

I'm wondering if he is on something (prescription)...and has run out and/or stopped taking his meds??

Daschle: "We need a prescription drug plan, and those wascaly Wepubwicans are killing children by not agreeing to our reasonable demands..."

[Elenya]

How do we know that this isn't a terrorist pretending to want 10 mil to throw everyone off?

We don't.

[TexKat]

And the schools are opened there today. Ugh!!!

Dear God, please keep all those children and teachers safe and under your care.

[texasbluebell]

Dr. Baden said last night that this is a hostage negotiation, and we are the hostages.

Interesting way of putting it.

[Elenya]

there is no way this guy is going to walk away alive from killing 20 people at once or in any one day. It takes too long to kill 20 people and to get far enough away.

I can't imagine how he/they could pull it off either, unless they're already dead.

[OReilly]

Tell me how this sniper can call into this special 1-800 number that HE had the police set up for him without his calls coming into it being traced?

He must know that routinely, every 800 call that you or I make, automatically records your number, and not by the caller ID, system that we have available in our houses. He knows that, let's assume, because he is using tape recorders (they are saying) and that is probably what they were searching for in a nearby gas station to the Exxon in Richmond.

The 800 call comes in to their call center, but by the time they realize that it is him and that it is a recording, he is gone, and the recording is still playing. I think the police are trying to plant the idea of a private 800 number, which would make their job easier. He is too smart to fall for it.

[Elenya]

LOL! And I'm still posting...

[Peach]

What Fox reported is the shooter said LEO's would need 20 body bags. I/we speculated whether the shooter intended to go on another spree killing where he kills several in one day.

[shattered]

Good point about the postscript.

I'm leaning toward domestic at this point. From the WP article, it sounds as if the letter was rambling - with bad grammer, misspellings etc. I didn't notice the article mention broken english.

People have mentioned the serious and somewhat scared demeanor of Moose over the last few press conferences and wondered what threat was hanging over their heads. Speculation of bombs, WMD etc. Now, I think it is evident that it was the threat to the children that was affecting him.

The fact that this person had listed names of the people who 'ignored' him on the tipline points to this being a certified lunatic that really does have a God complex. I think what the media has been saying is true - that he loves the coverage and being the center of attention. He is upset that they (the tip line people) didn't give him the importance that he thought he deserved.

As far as Al Queda..I just wonder why now? Why would it be now that they would be striking? They have heard videos from OBL and others since 9/11..The one a few weeks ago was not the first time a video or communication with AQ leadership has been aired.

My thoughts so far today.