Posted on 10/07/2002 5:42:23 AM PDT by DCBryan1
13 year old boy shot infront of school. Police scanners on!
Not inside 150 yards. In this envelope the .223 is usually more lethal in typical configurations. At 200 yards plus, the pendulum swings in favor of the .30 caliber. A "person with a high knowledge of firearms" would have a more informed opinion of terminal ballistics than "bigger is better". For what these perps are doing, the .223 is nearly ideal.
That said, I believe it is safe to say that these guys are not "professionals" in the real sense of the word. Shooting through glass requires compensating for point of aim that very few people have been trained to do. An excellent shooter without experience shooting through materials might blow that shot, but a sniper with quality professional training would be substantially more "lucky". The fact that they missed a shot through glass is indicative of competent amateurs rather than trained pros.
I am one of the nicest posters here but I am also a realist, having been in crisis situations before.
I am real unhappy for one thing if it turns out the kid was kicked off the schoolbus. While all this shooting is going on, if it's true, that put him at risk in the first place because his morning plans changed. What instructions do busdrivers have when there are snipers on the loose? Never mind - that was probably callous too.
Curious...
The latest message from Osama Ben Ladin:
"Message to the US people:
"Greetings to those who follow the just path.
"I advise you in all sincerity and call upon you to follow Islam which stands up for justice and opposes injustice and crime.
"I also call upon you to seize the messages of the conquests of New York and Washington, which was the response to a part of your past crimes.
"However, the criminal gang in the White House, those agents of the Jews, are preparing to attack the Muslim world and carve it up, without you dissuading them, meaning that you have not learnt anything.
"I tell you, as God is my witness, that if America does not cease or reduce the scope of this tension, we will respond in kind, God willing.
"The YOUTH of Islam are preparing something to STRIKE FEAR IN YOUR HEARTS and will target the vital sectors of your economy until you renounce your injustice and hostility.
"We pray for God to help you in this."
Questions:
It has been theorized that messages from Osama contain "hidden" directives = NOTE THE WORD YOUTH. With the shooting of the 13 year old boy today -- could it be the "order" has been received and will be obeyed?
Could it be a message is being sent that we are not safe at any time, any place -- now the motorist -- and the next victims will be...?
Shooter firing at the victim's reflection maybe? I've heard of hunters doing that with the reflection of a deer in a pair of slifing glass doors.
Q. You have been able to link 5 of the shootings by the microscopic markings left on the rounds.
A. By examining evidence left at the scene, we have been able to link 4 of the shootings.
two23: I think you are exactly right. The sniper does not have to operate under any of the usual rules for a sniper. He is not constrained to trying for high value targets or even specific targets. It is essentially a free fire zone for him and he can pick and choose whatever works best for his own survival.
the gillman@blacklagoon.com: I hadn't thought of a decoy vehicle but I tend to doubt it. It violates the most important operational rule this killer has used KISS. Coordinating two vehicles is probably more trouble than it is worth.
SauronOfMordor: I agree that a .30 cal weapon would be more likely to lead to discovery. I tend to think of that as another arguement in favor of a terrorist rather than a nut. A nut would be more interested in killing, a terrorist in causing terror.
All: I think the question of two people or one is significant in answering whether we are dealing with the mentally deranged or a terrorist action. I know of several examples of nuts who were highly organized when commiting there crimes (i.e. unambomber, citizen X in the old soviet union, etc.) I am unaware of any multi person nut killings that display a similiar concern for escape. Usually the pattern is to go out in a blaze of glory. When two or more people are involved and planning is evident. You are usually looking at rational people with a clear motive. Gang and Mafia killings are the only examples that come to mind. These are usually planned so that the perps can get away.
Not much attention was paid to that audio clip and it was pretty much dismissed as irrelevant because most believe OBL is probably dead. Even if he is dead, his evil message lives on. I personally think this was an activation call.
Yeah, I got it finally, thanks...I'm a little slow on the uptake at this hour of the day, but once I finally get it, I got it <G>
That's what I posted earlier; I don't believe the perp(s) will be taken alive...they may opt for "suicide-by-cop" or do it themselves (like Columbine). We all try to rationalize the insane because we really have a hard time accepting this kind of horror. The best we can do is protect our kids when they are young and make sure they are taught how to protect themselves (and their 2nd Amendment rights) as adults.
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