Gunman Doesn't Conform to Usual Patterns (Maryland Sniper)

Washington Post ^ | October 9, 2002 | Patricia Davis, Carol Morello

[pttttt]

A Different Kind of Killer

Gunman Doesn't Conform to Usual Patterns,

Experts Say

By Patricia Davis and Carol Morello

Washington Post Staff Writers

Wednesday, October 9, 2002; Page A01

Most mass killers relish watching their victims die. They are motivated by anger or revenge and kill people or categories of people they hold responsible for their problems.

But the sniper who has killed six people and wounded two others in the Washington area is different, experts on mass killings say. By firing a high-powered weapon at long range, he doesn't have the same connection with his victims as other killers, they say.

"He stops and shoots and doesn't hear the screams," said James Alan Fox, a professor of criminal justice at Northeastern University. "Others enjoy squeezing the last breath from their victim. It makes it easier for him psychologically to murder."

Keeping his distance and firing just one shot also has made him that much harder to catch. With no known motive and little physical evidence, experts and police officers who have chased mass killers agree that absent luck or an alert witness, the shootings will be difficult to solve.

The experts said the man who eludes police -- and experts believe the sniper is a man -- is not comparable to other mass or serial killers they know. The Washington area sniper doesn't appear to be shooting in an act of rage, Fox said. Most mass killers will open fire and continue until they run out of bullets or time or are shot by police, he said. This gunman has no category of victim -- women, for example -- and no exclusive geographic area for his killings. ...

Full article not reproduced because of Washington Post litigation. The rest of the article may also contain information of interest.

[js1138]

High enough to kill woodchucks and people.

[ArrogantBustard]

Are the areas where the sniper has shot been areas that limit or forbid CCW's?

The whole bloody State of Maryland forbids carrying weapons, concealed or otherwise. Washington, DC is even worse.

[MHGinTN]

I would love for a Virginaia concealed carry person to spot and kill this freak! The killer has made a tactical error in moving to Virginia to make shots because Virginia citizens are often well armed.

[Squantos]

Agree ....call em what ya will but this POS is nothing less than a killer preying on targets of opportunity. A "sniper" as defined in my world is someone as you state that will pick out leadership, c3cm targets, POL and logistics and looks for the unusual (why is only one person carrying an M14 while the rest pack a M16 ect ect). S/He will disable key weapons and or support materials ect ect as a viable force multiplier.

This "shooter" is just a murderer.........Assassin nothing more IMO.

Stay Safe , Armed and CYA Archy !!