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.

[TrustME]

My Southern momma told me not to use the word "illegitimate" to refer to children born-out-of-wedlock; illegitmate parents, yes -- but no illegitimate children.

Illegal aliens wouldn't be illegal but for illegal employers.

[FootBall]

Just got in - heard about the immigration comments - screaming on many counts.

If police suspect its an illegal immigrant they can go around arresting all the illegals and they might snag the sniper. Easy Enough?

[ladysusan]

Sniper leaves 2nd note, wants $10 million wired into a domestic account;

What kind of a moron wants money wired to a domestic account? This guy is none too bright. I think they ought to play along, pretend to wire money to a phony account, present him with phony computer screens when he tries to access the account online, then hack their way back into his computer. It isn't rocket science, and they should be able to locate this cretin pretty quickly. Don't they have anyone there in MD who knows how to do sophmore level hacking? I think they do....

PS And a good morning to all FReepers everywhere....;-D

[WRhine]

Like I said before, with any luck, one of the sniper's "victims" will be the media.

What????? Whose corner are YOU IN?

[TexKat]

When the camera was on the bus after the shooting, I thought I saw someone sitting in the first couple of seats. But then my eyes could be deceiving.

[stlnative]

Yes I used to be an Independent Carrier myself in the STL area... I delivered several different papers, even the Wall St Journal. You learn people habits also on your routes, like who is out early in the morning and so on, your also learn the fastest ways around the area so that you can get your papers delivered faster. You also get used to driving around for long periods at a time. You need a truck or van for paper deliverly and normally you have 2 vehicles in case one breaks down on you. Cops also get use to seeing you out in the neighborhoods at night and they don't bother you once they know who you are. I know as I use to carry a gun on me illegally when I was delivering papers at night and the cops knew I had it with me and did not object to it since I was a female carrier trying to make a living. Another thing is you learn where the dark areas (hiding places) are in the neighborhoods just in case nature calls when your on your route, you don't have time to travel to a gas station.

[Alamo-Girl]

Hmmmm .... good point! Hopefully they are checking that also!

[ladysusan]

My Southern momma told me not to use the word "illegitimate" to refer to children born-out-of-wedlock; illegitmate parents, yes -- but no illegitimate children.

God Bless Your Momma and her wisdom....

[dinasour]

What kind of a moron wants money wired to a domestic account?

Maybe he plans to have a couple of Mexican illegals bring him the money.

[WRhine]

What if the perp actually turned out to be someone that happened to be here illegally!

It does look like the LEOs are seriously considering this possibility.

[areafiftyone]

Another thing is you learn where the dark areas (hiding places) are in the neighborhoods just in case nature calls when your on your route, you don't have time to travel to a gas station.

LOL - thank you for sharing that with us. ;-)

[libertysdaughter]

Actually, the idea didn't come from TV. It came from the question: "how would a person make themselves invisible." Probably as simple as the creep is already long gone before anyone shows up. Thanks for the info. ;)

[fooman]

Right. And they were blithering idiots for deporting the mexicans.

I notice that the Fed white boys were involved in this conference and without immunity and a promise that deadlines will be reported in the future, they have NO CREDIBILITY

[AmericanInTokyo]

I only discounted some of the races because of the low probability for organized terrorism in a group fashion might be hard to imagine, such as White or Black or Native American. The only exception might be if a White Chechniyan were involved, or a black Portland cell type were involved. I think all the indications are away from Hispanic, White and Black, and certainly Northeast Asia (China, Japan, Korea,), and perhaps more in South Asia and Middle East.

I am, of course, racial profiling here, but I would be a hypocrite to support the tactic and not indulge in a little of it meself here on FR!

[bvw]

"What the hell is a trainee doing answering the phone?"

Money is infinite -- as much as the G-mint wishes to endow it's dear supporters, yes. Nearly bottomless pits of available manpower resources exist by just turning on the White House faucet, yes. Let's use only fully trained, highly paid and comprehensively perked, mulitple-degreed and years of street experienced folks in the hundreds of thousands of positions that just opened up since 9/11. Ri-i-ght.

[Darlin']

I think the money demand is probably just another way of pulling LE's chain. A way of flexing his muscle, showing his control. He has been too shrewd and plotting up to this point, it doesn't seem to fit that he/they would not have thought this through also.

[FootBall]

I think all the indications are away from Hispanic

There was an Al Queda (dirty bomb) member of Hispanic origin that was arrested not too long ago by the FEDs.

[ladysusan]

Maybe he plans to have a couple of Mexican illegals bring him the money.

ROFL. Never believe everything you see and hear on the tube.

[Howlin]

I'm in the corner of ACCURATE media, not media driven HYPE, which is ALL we're getting on TV now.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Padilla, right.