[r9etb]

This guy had to see that Trooper across the street when he was sighting the victim......and took the shot anyway..

Took the shot because, IMHO.

This would be the phase where the guy begins to take more chances in order to keep things exciting. If he's not caught this time, they'll probably get him next time.

[relee]

This guy had to see that Trooper across the street when he was sighting the victim......and took the shot anyway..

The TV 9 reported on the scene of the shooting said the shooter may not have seen the State Trooper working the traffic accident.

I would check out that traffic accident to see if it was staged or setup. Like cutting someone off, causing them to veer into traffic, etc. Maybe the shooter wanted an audience.

[Eroteme]

Good thought in #1209.

The shooter could just have easily picked off the police officer. But he didn't. This is, imho, significant.

It could be, as you note, the target was chosen specifically because it was under Mr. Policeman's nose. Which suggests that the shooter is in a personal competition with police. He doesn't want to kill Mr. Policeman. He wants to beat him.

Or--maybe the shooter is following a very specific set of rules on the kills. Is this a scavenger hunt of some sort? Only civilians on the shopping list (so far.) So are these self-imposed rules of the game, or does the shooter not have the authority to alter the game plan, even when a (presumably) higher-scoring kill presents itself?

Which brings me to the question: In what game do civilian kills score highest? Terrorism.