Terror link to Maryland shootings? Experts divided whether killing spree work of al-Qaida

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Friday, October 4, 2002

[The KG9 Kid]

"... The AK-47 is chambered for a 7.62mm x 54mm round..."

7.62x39, actually.

Or hey: 7.62x54 by New Jersey Supreme Court-interpreted election laws.

[backhoe]

if you look at terrorists, the only ones known for this sort of thing are the IRA. However, the IRA apparently does have some ties to some Palestinian groups, as well as Farc.

Yep, they are inter-related:

The Web of Terror

[infowarrior]

The original was chambered in 54mm, so that the rifle could accept both Warsaw Pact and the NATO 7.62x51mm rounds. The 7.62x39mm round is a "civilian" version of the weapon and the round became popular here in the US. I have a rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm (Ruger Mini-30)...

the infowarrior

[Brad C.]

The thing is the shooter(s) could be using any old standard hunting rifle and scope set available at any gun shop or swap meet across the US.

The thing that stands out to me is the "1 shot, 1 kill" method, indicating that the shooter has some experience with this type of thing. It is one thing for somebody to flip out and start shooting everyone around them, indicating that the person lost control of himself or the situation. It is something altogether different to have a series of killings at different locations and times, indicating that the shooter is very much in control of the situation.

[Free Trapper]

The 7.62x39 used in AK 47s and SKSs is right at the same cartridge as a 30x30,not high power at all.

I started my kids out at about 8 years old with SKSs because of the very light recoil.

[twntaipan]

Of course no one wants this to be found to be a case of terrorism, but it seems very consistent with a highly disciplined killer. Even the randomness of the victims would seem to be intended to evoke much fear. A wacko "going postal" doesn't seem to fit this picture. Very worrisome.

[infowarrior]

True, there's High-power, and there's High Power. I was using the term in the generic sense where even the venerable and fairly low powered 30/30 is called a high-powered rifle, as opposed to a .22...

the infowarrior

[Brad C.]

What adds to it is the length of time since the last victim was killed. The shooter is biding his time, and will strike again in another area. It will take a lot of skill, or luck; to catch them.

Then again, if they aren't caught it will serve as an inspiration to others to attempt the same thing. As another freeper posted elsewhere, forty teams of two in forty cities would really create some havoc.

[Godebert]

"The original (AK-47) was chambered in 54mm, so that the rifle could accept both Warsaw Pact and the NATO 7.62x51mm rounds. The 7.62x39mm round is a "civilian" version of the weapon and the round became popular here in the US."

Kalishnikov began designing the AK-47 as early as 1944 for use with the new Soviet M1943 7.62x39 cartridge. Your information is incorrect.

[Free Trapper]

The cartridge was also called the M43,a medium power cartridge,used in SKSs,AK 47s and the RPD light machine gun.

If thats a civilian load,I sure wish somebody had told the Viet Cong.

[SauronOfMordor]

I read in one story about the man who was mowing the grass had a hole in his chest that was about the diameter of a coffee cup rim

I'm wondering if a very-high-velocity varmint round shattering on impact would do something like that. Otherwise, it would have to be an exit wound.

The only other possibility I could think of that would produce such a wound would be a a 12-guage at very close range, but people would have seen the shooter then/

I'm wondering if Travis McGee would have some idea.

[Alas Babylon!]

On Fox News right now (10/4/02 0538CDT), police spokesman saying it was a .223 round.

[Free Trapper]

I bet he was back shot.

[Dante3]

At this point IMHO it sound like it might be a gang initiation. In neraby Fairfax Count, Virginia police have been targeted by a nationwide Latino gang, MS-13 (which stands for Mara Salvarucha) and orginated with street gang immigrants from El Salvador.

Also, in Virginia and possibly in Maryland also, brutal Oriental home imvasion gangs operate during daytime.

A terorists group testing out a scheme could also be an explanation.

[error99]

I respectfully disagree. You are confused about your cartridge sizes.

[Free Trapper]

Then the first thing the LEOs will be looking for will be an AR15.

[Alouette]

they hit Hispanics, Blacks, Whites.

The cab driver was Indian.

[Alas Babylon!]

Agreed. Or some variant (Armalite, Bushmaster, etc). What else? I heard about an AK-47 chambered for this round. Don't know if it's very accurate, though.

[smith288]

If the shooter had any brains, he would stay away from the CCW states now that his spree has been reported.

[John W]

Nope,not al-Qaida.Can't be.Last night Brokejaw made a point of leading the story with;"And,now a case of homegrown terror..."