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.

[two23]

FOX Cable news says they have a press conference coming up

[antivenom]

I think he is a college student...and went home to parents over the weekend...I think he is in the early stages of schizophrenia and family members haven't picked up on it yet...probaly deluding themselves he is acting strange due to college stress...

Varmit gun was a gift...wasn't purchased as a "murder weapon", he probably outfitted it wih a scope that cost more than the gun's value...

He is crafty enough to KNOW to use gloves to load the ammo so NOT to leave prints...the brass found at a real or FAKE scene is throw down with useless prints (or prints from a person at a gun range...)...he is "TOYING" with the cops...he is playing the ultimate MIND GAME...he is going to be enjoying the GAME with the cops MORE than the actual shooting...

[Eva]

I am certain that is the only reason that a ME connectin has not been confirmed, that and the fact that a ME connection would point up the need for the homeland security bill that Daschle is holding up in the Senate.

[r9etb]

Remember the scene in the "Jerk" with Steve Martin clamoring to get away from "cans" when the sniper was firing at him...similar scenario...the key is to avoid park like areas.

And that movie also provides a motive of sorts by virtue of one of my all-time favorite lines:

"Johnson, Navin R..... Typical random bastard!"

[r9etb]

and tooling through Maryland looking for his victims.

I agree. All it really takes is an eye for likely spots, that are visible from the freeway. This explains the apparent randomness. And antivenom has provided a reasonable assesment of what a "likely spot" looks like.

The guy could case the area in about 10 minutes. And his getaway is simple if he can simply rejoin traffic.

[Elenya]

Single shot kills with multiple targets

Then it's exactly the kind of game I had in mind when I posted that I thought the killers were 2 young guys addicted to violent video games and wanting to get a new level of thrill by shooting real people instead of virtual ones.(I think they are very young (old teens or young adults) because they killed a 13 year old.)

[antivenom]

The JERK...funny movie!

On a serious note...Here is a picture of the school's athletic field ...look at ALL the trees surrounding the area...easy shooting hiding grounds...easy to find on the internet...the PERP is planning all shootings from the internet...

[Shooter 2.5]

There wouldn't be any reason to salt the ground with misleading cases. The spent bullet would have groove marking indicating a sabot wasn't used.
Question: Did the authorities ever report that a 5.56/.223 Remington case was found?

[OReilly]

The found .223 cartridge could be a red herring<<<<< Good point!

The 6 from the Portland cell were arrested with a kit of ammo that included 1 piece of 223 brass and hundreds of larger caliber rounds.

[Dog]

CNN is reporting on their web site that the shooting in Kuwait today on the Marines was a "terror incident" done by Kuwaiti citizens..

[OReilly]

Since they aren't releasing this information, I will predict that the killer is coming from Northern Virginia, through I-95, and tooling through Maryland looking for his victims. <<<<<<<<<

None of the software is smart enough to make that kind of a good guess.

[Elenya]

Interesting. But see post #608.

[relee]

Question: Did the authorities ever report that a 5.56/.223 Remington case was found?

The press has reported a .223 casing was found in the woods near the school. The press also reported a matted down grass area they believe to be the shooting location.

The ATF and PG Police reported evidence was found in the woods. They do not confirm that brass was found.

The evidence may be a casing or it may be fiber or gunpowder on blades of grass.

[5by5]

I too live in an urban environment. And sometimes I hear gunshots.

I know what they sound like, and I can tell a pistol from a shotgun from a high-powered rifle. The urban enviroment will have more noise, but it will also have more people and potential witnesses. Some of the shots sound like they were more suburban. Fewer people but the sound of gunfire stands out more.

On the silencer issue, show me an effective silencer for supersonic bullets like the .223 and I'll make a fortune in aerospace technology. On the otherhand, silencing a .22 is child's play. The reason for the difference is the muzzle blast vs. the shockwave. One can be silenced, one not.

I maintain that someone has likely heard some of these shots. If so, they could help catch the guy if they had thought ahead about what they would do if they heard it.

You could just accept the inevitablity of it all, live in fear and hide under the covers. Or you can think ahead and try to do something about it. Let's roll!

[Dog]

News Conference underway..

[r9etb]

The 6 from the Portland cell were arrested with a kit of ammo that included 1 piece of 223 brass and hundreds of larger caliber rounds.

Why just 1 round? That seems pointless at first glance.

OTOH, there may well be a good explanation: it could mean that they were training hard with .223 weapons, and had shot up their store of that ammo. It's easy enough to buy more -- but perhaps they hadn't gotten around to it.

[relee]

Reward is over $237,00.

[ET(end tyranny)]

This CANNOT be done from a moving vehicle.

But they CAN be done from a vehicle. Just not one moving at the time of the shot.

[r9etb]

Kuwaiti citizens, eh? I can buy that. There'd be salamikazis among them, too.

[OReilly]

Did the authorities ever report that a 5.56/.223 Remington case was found?

INteresting... I will look into the ammo kit from the Portland cell. I think there may be some interesting items. Why do you ask?