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.

[Marauder]

I sense that handguns will be little help in this situation unless someone stumbles onto the shooter, and can get a shot off before he does.
From the distances the mutt's shooting from, a handgun would be useless for return fire.
OTOH, what is the prevailing attitude in the MD area towards a citizen keeping a long gun such as an M1 Garand in his vehicle?

[ET(end tyranny)]

I also wonder if they might not be smart enough to "seed" a crime scene with spent cases from ANOTHER rifle, so that even if they get caught with a gun, they are still not tied to the crime scene.

Possible.

[twntaipan]

I would think that if this is terrorism, there will be a significant escalation, either through other cells going active with similiar killings, or this particular cell will up the ante majorly--larger attack, multiple shooters, whatever.

But if this is a spree killer (a modified wacko), the number will stay sporadic, or simply end (ala the anthrax killer).

On second thought, this sounds a lot like the antrax killer. Lots of publicity, but no real clues as to the killer. Calling Mr. Hatfill, calling Mr. Stephen Hatfill

[Lloyd227]

"That's a long distance to shoot from and still retain any accuracy"

Well, I'm nothing but a 43 yr old former dear hunting farm boy from Missouri and with the right rifle, scope & a tripod I can pull of a 340 yard shot with ease.

With 15 minutes of training, I can have most of you doing the same thing. It's the equipment and about 4 key things. It's not rocket science and contrary to some posts, this level of accuracy does NOT require years of military training.

On the other hand, the fact that this guy is shooting from a vehicle and maintaining his accuracy consistently DOES indicate SOME level of discipline.

Just wanted to curb the "holy cow, this guy is good" tone that seems to be developing. There's no need to think this guy is anything special, because this isn't all THAT tough to do.

Now let's find him and give him and make where that rifle up his @#$

[iconoclast]

"What would the downside be?"

Respectfully, I'm still asking.

IMO your only pertinent point is your #2, and the second amendment has long since and way worse been infringed than by what this firing pin print thing would do.

[blackdog]

This shooter is this good due to practice, training, and equipment(including evasion tactics). I am sure there are not too many places you can practice shots like this without being witnessed. People this good belong to clubs, have awards, medals, reputations, and notariety. They had teachers, custom made stuff at gunsmith's, etc... The shooter is extremely familiar with the area's terrain, LEO tactics, traffic patterns, and public travel patterns. All those factors would lead me to think it is a government employee or former military/CIA type. I'm sorry to bring it up, but the situation warrants considering what would be horrible(like it already isn't).

[CobaltBlue]

just trying to guess moves in a game which has no rules

Seems like painting your truck would be a dead giveaway to the neighbors.

I drive a white SUV and I notice the cops giving me a slightly more intense look for a millisecond. They are definitely looking for a white vehicle.

Me, too.

[ET(end tyranny)]

1) Firearms get sold or stolen...a stolen weapon could be used in a crime.

Wouldn't this have a trade off? Say your gun gets stolen. You report it. Later someone is shot, they not only would know that you didn't have anything to do with it, but they now know exactly what to look for.

2) It's an infringment on our 2nd Amendment gaurantee

How so? It would't PREVENT you from buying a gun. It wouldn't even make it more difficult for you to purchase a gun. You could still have your gun. I see no infringement. In fact, it is less intrusive than certain regulations already in place that DO delay or make it more difficult to purchase a gun.

3) "printing" a bore or firing pin does not make a criminal pop up out of the world to be arressted.

Covered up above.

[Diogenesis]

THIS JUST IN: "Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Ramsey is now on the case,
after his "prompt, effective and rapid solving" of the Chandra Levy case.
Those who are interested in either ought follow all FReeper threads for serious hypotheses."

[two23]

"Other people's brass is plentiful at the range. Wouldn't be hard to toss some and boom the cops arrest the wrong guy based on a spent case in the database. Besides, the case marks don't necessarily stay the same. The breachface can be polished, or an aftermarket barrel put on, or a new firing pin inserted.

Oh, I agree...I am against "fingerprinting" firearms. It's the concept of creating a national database that should offend all freedom-loving American's (2nd Amend)

[OReilly]

All those factors would lead me to think it is a government employee or former military/CIA type.

How about an ex-Montgomery or PG police officer that use to do (off-time) security gigs for Michaels

[CobaltBlue]

>>Occam's razor says this is terrorism.<<

In no way, shape or form does this resemble terrorist attacks.

Terrorists blow up discos, bars, embassies, apartment buildings. They go for crowded areas and try to kill as many people at one time as they can. They claim responsibility because they want publicity.

They have political goals that cannot be achieved by legitimate ends because their views are too extreme for the general populace.

The DC sniper is hiding, hitting people from afar. He's got a lot in common with the guy who got up in the bell tower in Austin, Texas, but he doesn't have a death wish.

He's a psychopath, but his head is warped in a completely different manner than a terrorist.

My two cents.

[oceanperch]

You are right with camaras posted everywhere how could someone go undetected. How strange. I wonder if they are looking at video footage.
Good Point.

[ET(end tyranny)]

...just trying to guess moves in a game which has no rules.

Same here. I think they took the week end off to make plans and check out areas for future shooting. But, so far today nothing. Which makes me wonder if yesterday's school shooting WAS a deliberate 'wanna bet' to Moose saying our schools are safe, our schools are safe, our schools are safe.....

[CobaltBlue]

>>what is the prevailing attitude in the MD area towards a citizen keeping a long gun such as an M1 Garand in his vehicle?<<

There are a lot of hunters in Maryland, but nobody drives around with a gun in a gun rack in the back of the pickup truck in the DC metro area. Too many thieves.

[two23]

Again---fingerprinting firing pins and bores is just one way to create a national data base which can ultimatly lead to confiscation.
Look, people can modify weapons, there are millions on the street already---criminals do NOT play by the rules, so once again...innocent gun owning Americans take the heat for the bottom feeders who don't play by the rules.

[SLB]

Needless to say this is the topic of discussion over coffee in the office this morning. We have several folks getting ready to head for DC and the AUSA convention. They are a slight bit antsy about it. We did have a civilian employee from here get shot at in Detroit several years ago while on TDY. He didn't even realize it until he turned in his rental car and there was a hole in the left rear door. He thought he hit a rock when it hit.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #1

Paging Eric Rudolf! If you are still alive, get this guy and FBI might be nice to you for once. :)

[dmz]

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

[johnny7]

So many targets... so much time. The guys a good shot.

We had a sniper off of Rt. 2 in CT.

Don't believe they ever caught him.

The police are just paid hacks. They hate something like this because they are shown to be incompetent.

If this bastid wants to, he could plunk down another 100 before somebody gets a glimpse of him.

BTW, it's not a hate crime. The victims are across the board.