BRITISH TV SURVEYS D.C. AREA PEOPLE ON THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT SNIPER SITUATION (Results)

Here is the URL to BBC TV website where they asked for reaction from people in the DC area to the sniper shootings.

"I live in Virginia not far from Manassas where the latest victim was killed. I do not see signs of panic, although, judging by casual conversations, people are concerned. It seems that the assassin is a former military sniper who lost his marbles. Eventually he will be caught, but in the meantime he is doing a lot of damage. Mkondrac, USA

Please do not let this fanatic wreak havoc in your lives. I grew up in a violent society where mercenaries were paid $10 for every man they killed in a state sponsored violence. I have been shot at a dozen times. I have witnessed people being shot and killed in front of me but I was never afraid. I hope and pray that this trigger happy monster is arrested soon. Frank, South Africa

I have just returned from a fact finding mission in Gaza, and having had guns trained on me by IDF soldiers and a bullet whistle past me, I know how it feels to be hunted. I sympathise with people of the US and hope they catch this monster, but please remember that an innocent Palestinian farmer cut down in his fields by violent settlers is no less a crime. Stuart Robson, UK

Joe, USA, Maryland I haven't gone jogging, haven't gone shopping and I almost run from my car to the apartment. Last weekend was the first time that I've seen my apartment complex's parking lot full. No-one is leaving their homes. This guy/gal has Maryland, Virginia, and DC totally freaked out. Joe, USA, Maryland

I am a graduate student at Howard University's School of Social Work in DC. Some students who live in Baltimore have been afraid to drive in for classes. I'm not afraid in the day except for fleeting moments (I calm myself by remembering the low probability of my being or knowing a future victim), but at night I dream of a gunman pursuing me. Many students in my classes are angry that so much attention is being paid to these killings when murders in poor, black neighbourhoods usually get slim to no media coverage. It seems like this series of murders is getting a lot of media play because it's a good story, like an exciting film, police TV programme, or murder mystery novel. I notice myself getting caught up in that kind of ghoulish interest too. Ruth Wielgosz, USA

I am an 18-year old student in the suburbs of DC, and live close to the gas (petrol) station someone was shot at today. It seems unreal that so many strangers are dying around you. Though they're strangers, they're part of the community and you can't help regret the loss and fear the next one. Israel, USA

Cheryl Ruiz, Maryland, USA I live 10 miles from the shootings in Maryland. I continue to go about every day as any other day. My children go to school like any other day. We had a friend on the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. We lived through 9/11. We trust and believe in God. We live our lives. We pray for peace in the world and our little corner of it. Cheryl Ruiz, Maryland, USA

Living only a few miles from the scene of the latest shooting, I find myself more aware of my surroundings now. I take a moment to look around before exiting my vehicle, but I don't live in fear. Undoubtedly, this person will strike again and again, leading to their capture or killing. This killer is leaving behind clues. He will be caught. Ben, USA

Being an expatriate Brit living in Silver Spring, MD it's been unnerving in the extreme. One feels like a deer wandering in the forest, with a hunter able to strike on a whim. My 2 year old son is luckily locked-down in pre-school, but many other stay at home parents dare not even go to the parks, as the unease is too great. Adam Sandman, Maryland, USA

My greatest fear is that someone I know will be the next victim, or worse, the culprit

Greg Beattie, USA The area where the five people were killed on October 3 is within two km's of the home I grew up in and the continuing residence of my elderly parents. Three of the first five deaths were all within one kilometre of that home. I have a number of siblings, nieces, and nephews still residing in the area. My greatest fear is that someone I know will be the next victim, or worse, the culprit. Greg Beattie, USA

I live only five blocks north of the Shell gas station in Kensington where the woman was killed last week. We moved from DC into the suburbs because we thought it was safer. Kensington is so quiet that nothing ever happens there but now we are terrified. Every day routine tasks like filling gas have become high stress situations. Amit Tonse, USA

Natalia Fisher, Maryland, USA I am a high school student in Montgomery County. Like this article mentioned, our school has been on lockdown for a few days now. Sports teams can only practice inside after school and we are not allowed to have open lunch anymore. So many students usually eat lunch outside that our cafeteria can't handle feeding us all at one time, so the administrators have created a new lunch 'A' and 'B'. I wonder how long schools here will continue operating this way. What if this guy is never caught? Natalia Fisher, Maryland, USA

I live in Annapolis, Maryland and work about eight miles from the site of the school shooting in Bowie. I have a 12 year old son and 16 year old daughter. While we have not changed the pattern of our lives, it is disconcerting to know that this person will act again, and that this time it could be me or my own. While we all recognise that death can take us at any moment, this has somehow brought that into focus. I am reminded of the lives led by those in Sarajevo during the long siege. Bruce Empey, USA

Eric, Washington, DC, USA Washington is, indeed, in panic mode. Everyone is talking about the sniper and it's starting to have a negative impact on the way people live. It's a dreadful way to live and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Eric, Washington, DC, USA

The White Flint location is two minutes from my house. We shop at many of those places in the White Flint Mall & Aspen Hill. As if the other killings weren't enough, the recent shooting of the boy going to school is a complete outrage. I was afraid last week but after yesterday, I am more angry than I am afraid. The person/s responsible for this latest wave of fear could not possibly be human when you delibrately target a defenseless child. Juliette Flores, USA

I live in the suburbs of DC, and this is terrifying. The killings are so completely random. In a way, it's more frightening than the terrorist attacks of last year, just because there doesn't seem to be a pattern or motive. Jennifer, USA

Filling petrol the other day I took a sharp look around and got into the car while it filled up. From the parking lot of a bookstore I hurried inside changing the direction of walk frequently. The gunmen, skilful and cold, has unleashed a terror few can escape fearing. Our lives are again disrupted with children¿s' activities' cancellations, fear of walking outdoors, calls enquiring about our safety and becoming keenly aware of our surroundings. It is an anomaly that in developed nations such people are left unchecked. Vijay Nair, USA

I have three kids in three separate schools and yesterday afternoon and again this morning I stood alongside their bus stops waiting, for what? Safety in numbers? Reassurance? No, just love. I refuse to be afraid. I refuse to let anyone interrupt my kids growing up. I will be an active parent and I will do my very best to protect them but I will not be afraid. I am angry. I am sad. I will vote against guns. Every time. Jan Cordani, USA/ Maryland

I live in Northern Virginia about 30 minutes away from most of these shootings, and I work in downtown Washington. The fact that there's no clear pattern to these killings frightens me. I'm now very careful when I walk places, and I try to avoid white unmarked vans as much as possible. This is definitely terrorism. Erin, USA

It isn't just Maryland. We live in Fredericksburg VA where the seventh shooting took place. I'm very scared. Even going to the end of the driveway to get the mail is an frightening experience. You scan the woods around you wondering if the shot will come. Diana, USA

I have lived in Montgomery County for four years. The five shootings on Thursday happened within 10km of my home. It is scary to have a sniper shooting where I purchase gas, groceries, and craft supplies. My husband and I are nervous about getting gas. I am constantly looking around in the woods or bushes to see if I spot anything unusual. This is very unsettling. Alice Sobsey, USA

I sympathise with people of the US and hope they catch this monster, but please remember that an innocent Palestinian farmer cut down in his fields by violent settlers is no less a crime. Stuart Robson, UK

What about a 71 year old Israeli woman killed by the 'Palestinian' farmer's son?

I know I know. I agree. Another typical Pali Terrorist symp;

However, sometimes its good to go outside the confines of just Freepers and hear a cross section of comments, particularly from people in the effected area irregardless of political leanings.

Thanks for the comment.

What about a 71 year old Israeli woman killed by the 'Palestinian' farmer's son?

Yeah, that, too. It seems to always come down on civilians.

Strange. Everything I've heard from DC is that people are going about their lives rather stoically.

There's not much you can do against a sniper, especially if he's military. If he's a graduate of Marine Sniper School, they will never catch him.

The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that the whole tarot thing was a misdirection play.

Normally I'd say send a sniper out to catch a sniper, like the duel between Zeitsev and Colonel Koenig at Stalingrad. The problem is, Koenig and Zeitsev had an idea where each other was hanging out (Zeitsev won that duel, btw). This guy floats around at random, so it would be hard for even a Master Sniper to hunt him down.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

Yeah and it's not like we can carpet bomb Bowie right after an attack.

I hope he gets hit by a drunk driver tonight and has his handy dandy rifle with him at the time with detailed map to the next shooting or some other damning evidence so we can pin it on him for sure.

Strange. Everything I've heard from DC is that people are going about their lives rather stoically.

I'm in DC and that's exactly what's happening. Only I don't think its so strange. Six people have been killed in a metro-area of five million. I figure the odds of getting shot are rather small indeed. And I don't shop at Michael's.

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