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.

[Miss Marple]

I do not think it a good idea to keep calling this guy a coward. It will cause an official to be shot, just as the repeated "our schools are safe" mantra got a kid shot.

[jackbill]

Glenspending on? What's the old goat saying?

I don't know. I've set my TV on automatic. It mutes all crap.

[null and void]

LOL When I heard about the book, I looked around and wondered what they would leave here with!

A truck load here...

[Peach]

When I heard about the book, I looked around and wondered what they would leave here with!

Depending on where you are, it could be the Bible (half tongue-in- cheek).

[Miss Marple]

You mean you missed the part where he said the shooter was a coward and unmanly?

I muted the irony screen on my television today.

[Peach]

Oh, crud, I was just going to complain about the Gov calling the person a terror. But he's compounded his lunacy with the comment "person must know he is't admired". Isn't admired. Well, isn't that a nice turn of phrase. Get this guy off the air.

[Mitchell]

Even if this turns out to be a crime by domestic nuts, it has revealed to al-Qaeda how effective such a campaign would be in the U.S.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"The maximum effective range of the 223 on human targets is around 300 yards,thats what they told us in basic,so this shot was more than likely about that distance."

That's my understanding if your concern is immediately disabling an opposing combatant. However, if you just want to inflict injury that will probably prove to be lethal, eventually, you can work at longer distances, limited by the bullet drop. 500 yards would often be lethal.

[Chemist_Geek]

I can't thank you since your comments are making me feel more vulnerable by the minute!

Click here for the NRA's Refuse To Be A Victim personal anti-crime security program...

[Peach]

calling the person a terror

should have been "calling the person a coward". I need food or something.

[Miss Marple]

I think this is a textbook example of 20 things NOT to say when there is a murderous unknown sniper on the loose.

[Dog]

Hi Peach thanks for posting this thread.....sorry about your loss....

I don't think it is a good idea if the Maryland governor taunts this killer....

[Chemist_Geek]

LOL When I heard about the book, I looked around and wondered what they would leave here with!

ROFL; if they ever come to my place, they had better bring several tractor-trailers to haul it all away...

[Joe Hadenuf]

For those with hearts black enough, killing is a fairly simple matter; doped out gang bangers do it all the time.

So do mild mannered accountants, mechanics, and housewife's..... Kinda scary huh?

[Elenya]

But I still think it is dangerous to try to find fault in something that has nothing to do with this.

I'm not saying that sick video games make killers, just like sick movies don't make killers or sexual predators. I'm saying that people who are attracted to this type of sick games/movies are sick to start with. The actual playing and watching is only exacerbating what was there to start with, so that some of them will act out on it.

To All: Asbestos suit on tight.

[Freedom2specul8]

That's a personal preference Peach.. If you open up each one now, and then bookmark it, it will save you time in the future. If you don't, it'll just take some extra time wading through the posts to find the links. I'll send a few minutes while I'm eating now..to collect what I can find..and will post them for you.

[r9etb]

I wouldn't be surprised if a keyhole bird was being postioned for that

I would. I'd be very surprised indeed. Not to mention disgusted at whatever bonehead actually did this with a national asset.

For one thing, spysats have much more important uses than tracking down the trucks of potential suspects.

For another thing, orbital mechanics would give them so little viewing time as to make it completely useless.

And finally, the time delay between a data take, identification of a particular vehicle, and delivery of the information to local LEO is measured at least in the tens of minutes. The guy would be miles and miles away from where he was in the picture.

[Miss Marple]

Me, either.

This, however, is another clue. This is what President Bush said about Al Qaeda. Of course, the situation was different, but it makes me wonder what they know.

[antivenom]

Unlike a bullet...sound does not travel in a straight line. He is also been firing in areas with traffic all around and people UP to the point of realizing a shooting has taken place...have been listening to radios, road noise and other things...living in a major city I can tell you that being "enclosed" in a car, traveling you will hear LESS of a noise...as for "by standers" the sound of a gun being fired up to 1000 ft away is NOT like a fire being fired while standing next to the shooter...also we have NOT heard of people reporting the sound of gun fire...

URBAN noise is the sniper's friend. I wouldn't be surprised to hear he has made a "silencer" easily made from a gallon size plastic soda bottle for example...IF he has access to a metal shop..he may have made one...

[L,TOWM]

That is extremely unusual for a wackjob that finally goes around the bend far enough to start living his fantasies.

I am actually hoping that this series of murders is the work of a lone nut that finally blew his head gasket, but the MO suggests a hit team of pros or assassins with at least some training.

My original post was written with the thought that this may be a probe or test, and that if these crimes were unilaterally halted now, suggested an AAR by the team and their handlers. We would then see an even more refined MO after a few days, weeks, or months.