[twigs]

When wackos start a spree like this, they are usually incapable of restraining themselves after they get a taste for murder.

Not necessasrily. We had a series of local shootings here in SE PA a few years back. After a few of them, the shooter waited many, many months before returning to his crime. He used a handgun and had to get closer than this man, so eventually someone saw enough to enable the police to find him.

[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.