Maryland Sniper Shootings Update Thread

CNN, Fox, Local Radio and Television | October 8, 2002 | CNN, Fox, Breaking News

[Peach]

It's 6:30 a.m. EST and we're waiting to go to the second press conference providing media and local updates on the Maryland sniper shootings. To date, the 13 year old boy has survived the evening and seems to be improving. Fox News mentioned that his aunt is a nurse. The police briefing at 6:15 a.m. mentioned Todd Beamer's Let's Roll comment and police are urging people to use caution, good judgment, but remain strong and try to continue with everyday life as much as possible.

Police had a search warrant last night (didn't say for who or where) related to the sniper shootings, but the search did not provide any information to LEO.

[dirtboy]

I am sure there are not too many places you can practice shots like this without being witnessed

There's a place in Michaux State Forest in South Central PA that is a target range for sighting in rifles - pretty close to MD and DC. Doesn't get a lot of use, a guy could just wait for the place to be empty to get some practice in. There are probably lots of other such places within a few hours drive of the area...

[Deguello]

"I also wonder if they might not be smart enough to "seed" a crime scene with spent cases"

Most likely. This is what is done in Dallas at the "Grassy Knoll" over the years. It keeps the tourist comming and the Lone Gunmen active. Pocket a few 6.5's from the gun range and drop them as you walk about. We just like to add to the equation. Everone whom then finds one thinks that they have something hot and takes it home with a smirk on their face.

[two23]

LOL..I don't flame people! I respect your angle on the topic. Ok, What bothers me the most is that the procedure would enable a national/federal data base and that's what bothers me. It is the first step to confiscation. This has been the case in other countries. Another law, another regulation will not stop criminals. We have enough gun laws in place and it is not working, is it? All the rules and reg's do is make law abiding citizens MORE law abiding, while the criminals run loose doing their dirty work.
A data base that could lead to confiscation WILL infringe on our 2nd Amend rights.

[Sender]

Speaking of "fingerprinting" guns and the like, some twit on a nameless, competing BB for blithering liberal idiots yesterday started a thread about how "if the government registered these high-powered deer rifles (?) like they do boats and cars, they'd have picked up this nutcase about 30 minutes after the first shooting." Others on the BB naturally asked, "How?". Round the evil doers all up, of course. Just get em all, go right down the list of gun owners and then the rest of us will be safe.

I was heartened to see that even the blithering liberals attacked him and told him how stupid and unconstitutional that would be.

[OReilly]

If anyone is having any trouble hearing the questions during these conferences (and that is somewhat tongue and check) I have a suggestion. If one switches to CNN for the duration of the Conference you will be able to hear the questions very clearly.

I might point out that the question provide more information that listening to Moose.

[sneakypete]

You see, that's the way it works here in SRMD.

And Md is the model for the rest of the nation. Expect to hear the cry to "ban those deadly sniper rifles!" to be all over the news soon. NBC is doing a ".223 rifle" special tonight on Dateline,and one advertising blip talked about how military marksmen with M-16 are shooting targets out to 600 meters. The groundwork is being laid.

[harpseal]

Or if he was smart he could just leave a piece of brass he picked up at a firing range. There is plenty of fired brass at any range and this would go a long way to throwing anyone off the trail. Firing pin indentations are not the most reliable means of identifying a gun. Firing pins can be changed barrels and chambers can be changed. A shooter who is mart enough to elude police would be smart enough to have "customized his rifle." Further normal wear and tear can change the ballistic fingerprint so that it is no longer a match for subsequent firings thus making this database worse than useless except as a national gun registry for confiscation.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[dirtboy]

Same here. I think they took the week end off to make plans and check out areas for future shooting

The last shooting seems to have been done from a wooded area, on foot. Since the cops may have a make on their truck (I tend to agree with snooker, it was set up as a means to hide in plain sight), they just can't drive around and kill passers-by quickly. I would guess they are onto plan b, which is to set up one attack each day without the vehicle, hence the slowdown. But that also makes them more vulnerable to apprehension. Hopefully they'll be noticed now.

[oceanperch]

Another far fetched idea is that the sniper has a regular job so he is killing on his time off.

[angkor]

Are they certain about two shooters?

No, that is my deduction only.

The Montgomery County shootings last week do not support a single shooter theory. You'd have to understand that area and what the traffic is actually like there during rush hour, but if you do then a single gunman acting alone makes no sense. It is not very plausible.

My theory is one driver and one shooter riding around in an inconspicuous minivan, based wholly on last Thursday's shootings.

They might have changed tactics after finding themselves locked in rush hour traffic (which they would have been on Thursday), and are now sticking closer to the highway exits (e.g., Friday and yesterday).

[oceanperch]

It was unfounded.

[Peach]

Without a description or more information, we are all speculating of couse, but after reading Steven Emerson's excellent book American Jihad, I have come to realize just how many sleeper cells there are in this country and how a single Muslim extremist could very likely be behind these killings. Emerson details in his book, and the feds have long agreed, how other single events in this country were in fact committed by Muslim extremists. We have just been blind to it prior to 9/11.

[CobaltBlue]

You're probably right that it's more than one guy. Could be two men, or one man and one woman.

[OReilly]

I might point out that the questions provide more information than listening to Moose.

I'm sure FNC will soon be able to buy a directional mike and compete in a fairly short time. It is amazing to me that these networks are so slow to catch on to these competitive advantages.

[GirlNextDoor]

our local NBC affiliate, WRC-4, chose not to air the president last night,

Same thing was planned here w/ our local station, WGAL. But 5 minutes before the speech they broke in and said that *they'd received so many calls and e-mails expressing concern* over their decision that they WOULD break in to NBC broadcasting long enough for the speech, then resume regular programming in progress.

:-)

[Peach]

here's a maryland freeper (with kids in school) getting in line

Your winning lotter ticket for a chance at this guy, when he's caught, is waiting for pick-up!

[two23]

"Bingo. But punishing the innocent is so much easier.

Yes, we stand in line and offer ourselves up as a sacrifice for all those who are above the law and free to kill, rob, rape and maim../sarcasim. In the mean time, Amazon.com uses their 1st Amend as a cover for their right to sell PRO-pedophilia literature...and those who buy the books, do not have to apply for permits, submit fingerprints and carry a piece of paper that connects them to the list of "future child rapers of America",. People go bonkers when someone tries to modify the 1st Amend--but bob their heads in affirmation every time someone wants to take a chunk out of the 2nd.

[Abogado]

An idea: Apparently there is already technology that can locate the geographic area where shots are being fired (audio triangulation?). Example, the systems used in some urban areas to send L.E. to the areas where morons are firing rounds in the air on holidays. Take this technology and combine it with satellite technology to select and record the geographic area where the shots originated. Anticipated result = automatically obtaining a picture of the area right after the discharge of a firearm.

[oceanperch]

As Chief Moose was talking there was a white van in the door reflecting yes there is allot of white vans.

Chief stated they are still looking for a Box type truck. Just had a breifing.

[dirtboy]

You'd have to understand that area and what the traffic is actually like there during rush hour, but if you do then a single gunman acting alone makes no sense.

Plus, the driver can tell the shooter the best time to take a shot in order to avoid detection, and then drive away quickly after the shot. But I think they have ditched their vehicle now because the cops had a description of it, and are shooting in the open.