[Pharmboy]

A semi-crazy gun nut? I dunno...who knows what to think about this one.

[2banana]

This Killer Doesn't Fit the Expected Profile

Fits the profile of a trained Islamic terrorist - wonder why that was not mentioned?

[smiley]

Listening to WLS, Chicago yesterday while they were commenting on this tragic subject. I believe Don of "Don and Roma" made the comment that this probably would fit the profile of a white male, early to mid-20's who was raised on video games. Interesting, but a different angle.

[RepubMommy]

Thinking about all of this actually kept me awake last night. I am in Jersey, not Maryland, but you don't want some loons pulling any copycat stunts. I hope they catch this guy soon, but he is so random, I don't know how they can.

[cynicom]

The killer is not "escaping". He is moving on, at his own pace and on his own terms.

[Aquinasfan]

The sniper's use of a single shot also suggests less anger than mass killers normally have, Professor Fox said. "If he was expressing his anger or frustration, he would continue to fire, creating a blood bath. But this guy is coolly and calmly finding victims, taking a very accurate shot, and then escaping."

"I think he is hunting or target shooting with humans," Professor Fox said.

There is only one other plausible explanation for the single-shot MO. Some people have suggested that firing a single shot prevents triangulation of the sniper's position. But then, how important is that to police?

The single-shot MO seems to contradict the theory that these are terrorists. OTOH, the cold-bloodedness seems to indicate terrorism since Prof. Fox could only name one similar case.

So these seem to be the only two possibilities.

[angkor]

Criminologists are stumped because this isn't a typical whacknut criminal. It's two or more trained Muslim jihadists.

They should be talking with special ops personnel (not university professors) to get an accurate profile.

[joesnuffy]

The killer or killers is not I repeat not a sniper A sniper is a valuable assest to the military...he is the elite of the elite He saves lives at great risk to his own...many of Americas greates heros were and are still snipers.. To call this murderer (s) a sniper is to denegrate all that is best in our best soldiers and marines This murderer or muderers is best described as an asassin Asassin from the Arabic...Hashshasin...a secret order of Moslems who under the influence of hashish are sent out to murder innocents and political rivals of their hashamite king.... Asassin

[lexington minuteman 1775]

He is definitely in control with this.And I am sure he ejoys the terror he is inflicting.I hope he slips up soon or the police get a tip they gets them on this sick persons trail.Prayers for the families of the ones who have already fallen under his deadly aim.

[hopespringseternal]

He has used a hunting or military-style rifle...

That about covers it...

[Destructor]

"But the sniper in the Washington area has picked his victims seemingly at random, firing a single round from a considerable distance and escaping while leaving behind no obvious clues. He has used a hunting or military-style rifle, leaving no shell casings for the police to investigate as evidence until one was found today."

"The profilers know that this killer is cool and cautious. They do not know much more than that."

Sounds like someone that has had some training, but obviously not the same level of training that the U.S. Military gets. If he were one of ours he never would have left that casing. Could it be an Islamic terrorist?

[Psalm 73]

The shooter turned out to be a gun enthusiast, who targeted his victims "for the thrill of it,"

Oh, they just couldn't resist linking "gun enthusiast" and "psychopath", could they.

[monocle]

This report by not distingishing between mass killers and serial killers does little to shed light on the current situation. Serial killers seem possess a higher intelligence and act to avoid detection while mass killers act out of desperation to make their grievances know and frequently end up killing themselves during the single act of mass murder.

[MileHi]

The shooter turned out to be a gun enthusiast,...

Look for this angle to get plenty of play in the media and from some in congress. We are back to playing defense.

[Damocles]

Most mass murderers, for example kill to settle a grudge or avenge a perceived wrong, targeting victims who are relatives, colleagues or members of an ethnic group they hate, the experts said.

Ummm...they're all AMERICANS!! Hello. Why are they afraid to mention that possibility??

[Robe]

Just a thought.....
Has anyone reported gun shots? I heard that in one of the early cases that a shot was heard, thus the description of a “Box Truck”. But no one later on has said any thing about hearing anything....
Could this guy be using a silencer?
Silencer + Careful Aim + One Shot + Casing Recovery + Easy Sneak Away = PLANNED TERRORIST MISSION ?
Wasn’t there a reported warning last Friday that schools and civilians would be targeted?

[Tis The Time''s Plague]

I live in eastern Montegomery county and the first killing occured down the street from my apartment. Here's my Profile of the attacker:
1. Has a job (timing of attacks in morning and evening) that requires driving (delivery driver?) around the metro area (attacks in Fredricksburg and Bowie) maybe even works in Virginia.
2. Lives in eastern or northeastern Montegomery county (attacks fan out from that area). This could be reversed. Works in eastern Montegomery and lives in Virginia.
3. Has wife and kids (no attacks during weekend - had to clean the rain gutters and take the kids to the park).
4. Kills for ideological reason (Islamic supremacy ~ White supremacy - whats the difference).
6. Will probably attack once or twice a week until caught (ratchets up the terror while limiting exposure to witnesses and capture). Will also become more an more careful about attacks (first parking lots, malls, gas stations, then quiet streets, then in underbrush over looking school ground).

[ezo4]

I think this is a professional assassin in a totally decked out shooting platform. A suv or truck with tinted windows and a sound suppressing interior. Shooting a decent quality or better suppressed rifle. 223 or better in cal. Shooting a small fast light weight round that tears through soft targets with decently places shoots and completely disintegrates on impact with hard targets. all traces are covered from a ballistic standpoint as well as they're escape

This is what trained snipers are supposed to do. Shot once, kill, install fear and terror and most of all evade getting caught to kill again.

After driving home last night Im looking around on my drive and Im thinking if there are people willing to do this. Instead of your typical nut case that shows up every once in awhile spraying a auto in a office/crowded place

They have a target rich environment here in the USA for shooting "innocent" civilians at a semi long distance loading up there mini vans and cutting there lawns.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims families and as I all ways say CYA

[Tin Cup]

With all the government assets in this part of the country, what are the chances of reviewing satellite imagery in an attempt to identify fleeing vehicles near the shooting scenes? If it's not possible to review past scenes, I would expect that this strategy is being employed now.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

The article is notable for totally ignoring the possibility of terrorism.

[VRWC_minion]

After reading this, the idea that its a muslim terrorist goes up a notch higher for me.