Police source: Manassas bullet was a .223

The Free Lance-Star ^

[kregger]

Police source: Manassas bullet was a .223

A police source says preliminary indications are that the bullet that killed a Maryland man at a Manassas gas station last night was the same type round used in eight sniper attacks.

Kari Pugh The Free Lance-Star A law-enforcement source said this afternoon that a Maryland man killed in Manassas appears to have been shot with the same kind of bullet used in eight sniper attacks in the Washington area.

At a news conference this afternoon, Prince William County authorities would say only that ballistics tests are being done. But the source, who asked not to be named, said preliminary indications are that it was a .223-caliber round.

Dean Harold Meyers, 53, of Gaithersburg, Md., was gunned down last night as he prepared to fill his tank at a gas station in Manassas. An autopsy showed he was killed by a single shot to his upper body.

Prince William Police Chief Charlie T. Deane said today that the shooting appears consistent with other sniper attacks in the eight days. Six people were killed in Montgomery County, Md., and Washington Oct. 2 and 3. A 43-year-old mother of two was shot in the back outside the Spotsylvania Mall Friday and a 13-year-old boy was critically wounded as he walked to school in Bowie, Md., Monday.

The Spotsylvania victim went home from the hospital Tuesday. The student remained hospitalized today.

Police are looking for a white panel van, possibly a Dodge Caravan, that was seen speeding away towards Interstate 66 shortly after the 8:18 p.m. shooting in Manassas. State police closed the interstate temporarily and Prince William police launched a wide dragnet for the shooter, but he remains at large.

Police said they found some evidence near the scene, but they are not saying exactly what it is. Deane did say, that it was not a message from the killer.

Deane, however, had a message of his own for the gunman: “Turn yourself in, enough damage has been done.”

Prince William Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul Ebert said if the killing is the work of the sniper, and if the gunman is caught alive, he will seek the death penalty.

“I’ve never seen an investigation as intense, thorough and far-reaching,” Ebert said. “Sooner or later we will bring this person to justice.”

[Shooter 2.5]

What I like about the AR is the fact that I will never see a Jerry Khuhnhausen shop manual for the rifle. There isn't enough to go wrong. The first time I shot it, I scored a Master score with a 471. What I didn't realize until later, my front sight loosened up and I started to shoot 450's. After set screwing the front sight, I'm hitting 99's and 98's in the sitting. I still have to improve on my standing. I'm going this weekend for a match.

[Quicksilver]

It appears that it was not a shotgun, so no bet. ;)

[NorthGA]

I heard a guy on local radio this morning describing a conversation Katie Couric had regarding these shootings. She said, "Well, I hear that this round is especially dangerous since it rotates after leaving the barrel."

LOL!

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

There's no doubt the guy is a terrorist...the only question is whose plan is he following?

[Shooter 2.5]

Yeah, you don't want any of them there cop-killer rotatin' bullets.
I watched "Bird of Prey" and the ejected piece of brass looked like it was from a .38 special.

[Joe Hadenuf]

He was betting a shotgun was used and the shooter simply changed weapons and bet me. I said you got a bet, only if a shotgun was used. Does this make sense? LOL!

[valleygal]

Prayers for your family. Lots of us on edge with family in metro area.

[MoralSense]

Question: How many kinds of rifles are there chambered for .223? Hundreds, right?

[Grampa Dave]

Why don't both of you donate $10 to Free Republic and say that you are for bringing the tag line back.

Lodwick is matching new pledges requesting the return of the tag lines.


That will bring the new pledges from a simple bet to $40!

[blam]

"You got a bet, but if there was no shotgun used, no bet...."

Hey, I had $10.00 on that bet also. However, it was my understanding, that if a shotgun was not used that the bet was off. Yes/no?

Boy, these guys are trying hard to get caught, huh?

[blam]

"I am amazed how lethal this .223 round is. I thought when it was introduced it was criticized as undersized, although high velocity. That it was more likely to wound than kill. Not bad in the military as a wounded enemy is just as out of action as a dead one. "

I've heard that is isn't very good in the jungle, brush and such deflects it. 7.62 X .39 is my favorite.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"The AR-15 or M-16 with the 5.56/.223 was designed so that the new recruits would have an easier time getting hits with it's low recoil. All the other stuff about being designed to tumble in the body, to wound, etc. was and is only the side attaction to the ability to hit.

According to my Navy gun school instructor, another reason the military wanted to go with the M-16 is an infantryman could carry alot more rounds for the weight than an M-14 or M-1.

[Semper911]

...these guys...

Who here still thinks there is more than one perp? I forget when we all decided it was a lone whacko. I guess it was after the tarot card. Personally, I think the school shooting is totally unrelated to the rest. The perp on that one is someone who happened to have some .223 ammo and wanted to get in on the action.

[Shooter 2.5]

I counted over 50 with three basic rifles in an AR configuration. Those were listed for last year. It was a buyer's guide and it's only current models.

[white trash redneck]

In the book "Black Hawk Down," the GIs complained that it often took several .223 rounds to put a goblin down for good. So, either the MD shooter is using something more effective than FMJ rounds, or those Somalis were really motivated. I would suppose that when you're all pumped up in the heat of battle, the adrenaline keeps you going after a hit that would put you down if you were just minding your own business, mowing the lawn or waiting for a bus.

[Shooter 2.5]

A video I have showed a .223 deflected by an inch branch.
They used a .30 cal.. How 'bout that. Same thing.
They used a 7.62 X 39. I think they missed the branch.

Then the guy said, Hey, look. We're going to use a .50 BMG on these little one inch branches. Big grin.
You should have seen the expression on his face when the .50 was deflected by the one inch branch.

Conclusion: They all can be deflected.

[Shooter 2.5]

I still think it's a lone guy.
Besides, all of the intact bullets have matched so far.

[Shooter 2.5]

That was part of the "etc."
Thanks for letting the lurkers and other posters become aware of it.

[556x45]

First, the police have no clue *exactly* what cartridge is being used. By weighting and examining the bullet frags they can conclude its a 22. However, they dont have conclusive evidence which loading it is. They wont know this until they catch the perp(s).

The bullet in the 5.56x45 loading usually frags at the cannulure which causes multiple wound channels. This is its claim to fame in the lethality dept. There are a number of varmint (hunting) bullets with thin jackets/polymer tips which I doubt would be very effective. They'd breakup too much when bone is hit to do deep damage.

Despite what the media and police are saying I dont think this guy is a stellar shot esp if hes keeping his shots around 100m. So far his greatest accomplishment is terror. At that he's been very successful.