Beltway Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary-Sunday, Oct. 13

Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences | October 13, 2002 | Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences

[Peach]

Don't you find it unlikely that surveillance tape can actually capture activity from 150+yards away? It doesn't fit together, unless I'm just flat out wrong and the tapes can capture images from that far away. Typically at a gas station the owners are concerned about what's going on at the pumps, but perhaps they can set the yardage captured and given what's going on they changed the settings. Just don't know enough about surveillance video.

[Peach]

All good questions and don't have any answers. Thought it was curious the NYP mentioned videotape of potential shooter (and accomplice) and yet no sketch was released. Fox has reported same information, btw.

[Sacajaweau]

I agree, he "couldn't see the policeman". Perhaps his spotter could but it wasn't a deterent (sp?).

Wonder how long before the hit the cop showed up?? I think that's important as it might determine whether the guy was already in position, whether they are listening to a police radio, whether they are using 2 way radios (assuming there is a spotter).

Assuming neither the shooter or the spotter could see the cop, that might give us a clue as to "where" and "if" the spotter is exiting. The spotter might just go into a restaurant after the operation is complete and wait for a call on his cell phone for "pick me up" details.

Sac

[schmelvin]

One weird theory I have is that the shooter and his driver (if the white box truck info is true) are dressed in uniforms, like electric company repairmen or something, and carrying the gun around in a very large, oblong toolbox.

People would be less likely to notice them parked on the side of the road, if they disguised themselves in this manner, and they might be more likely to pass a quick inspection by the police at a roadblock/search, too.

[Catspaw]

It could've been tape from a place nearby--a motel, a parking lot camera--a camera that captured *something*

Surveliance cameras are all over the place (See Missus Toogood in Indiana).

[schmelvin]

I'm curious to know what you think about my post #64, too. Maybe, I'm reaching, but my theory might explain the reason why these shootings take place on Mon-Fri (work days).

[Jaidyn]

What do you think about the idea they might actually be working for a company that requires uniforms, or at least, a white truck? The perps work for a legitimate company that has mostly white trucks and their cover is complete.

[uncbob]

If that picture of the truck is accurate then it will be found soon.
Everybody is going to be on the lookout and there are scads of cell phones in use

It is either being repainted or has been hidden in some garage and even then people having seeing the thing in the past will call in

My guess is the perps are worried

[bimbo]

... a delivery truck used in a legitimate business, you'd think the business-owner would have come forward by now, so I'm starting to discount that as a theory of mine.

Don't discount your theory too soon ... the legitimate businessman might be employing illegals from Mexico or even the Mid-East. He might not even suspect his employees.

[mystery-ak]

Fox just showed a picture of a woman pumping gas stooping behind the pump, it was on the front page of a newspaper(didn't get the name of the paper)....really sad!

Today is Sunday, lots of people go to church....I wonder what the attendance is, cause it would be a perfect opportunity.

[Iscool]

That truck doesn't look like much of a shooting platform...

I wouldn't be surprised if the terrorist has never seen the inside of a white truck...Any white truck...

[pamlet]

That's what I've been thinking. Also he's assisgned a different truck every day - thus the differences in the trucks.

I also think he has some type of route - and that is what puts him near/around F-burg VA on Friday mornings.

Personally I think it's one nutcase - terrorists would be grander - as the purpose of their attacks seem to be get as many as they can at one time.

[Sacajaweau]

A truck and a toolbox???

I'm having trouble with a guy "stealthing" around in the woods with a big tool box.

While nothing might appear out of order to you or me, it is to the locals who normally shop or fill up in the area on a regular basis.

We're looking for something more obscure or "everyday". I can see our parking lot full of multi colored (mostly dark) vans. They're just all over the place.

Sac

[CPL BAUM]

Re: the shooter and spotter being in some type of uniform: That's not a wierd theory. I think you've hit the nail on the head. They'd be dressed appropriately for the cover - plumbers, electricians, whatever. Bet they ride right on through the checkpoints..."Gosh officer - I hope you nail the bastards!"

The nagging question is - Where are they hiding the rifle within the van? A false panel? Probably relatively barren inside the van to speed any search along. The cops open the back - see a neat van with little inside - and wave them through.

[schmelvin]

Very true, Jaidyn. I suppose my main thoughts were: Where are they hiding the gun? and What would be the easiest way to carry it around outside of the vehicle as inconspicuously as possible until they needed to use it?

I've heard backpacks and duffel bags mentioned, but then thought, "Why not a toolbox?" (Something the police may even be less likely to search or search thoroughly, especially if a tray of tools covered the compartment the gun was in.)

[woofer]

I like the idea of running the registration on Isuzu box trucks on the Eastern Seaboard. But I'm bothered by the other reported eyewitness reports that included a white cargo van and a Chevy Astrovan (with ladder on top). Most people wouldn't get either of these three types of vehicles confused with the others.

As for my take on the perps...

I'm backing the "ne'er do well" looking for esteem by taunting the police/investigators. He (or she) has been planning this for a long time. You gotta do a little recon to set up for the hits (semi-concealed position with access to swift, or at least free travel, to major traffic arteries). His ego and/or his feelings of logistical and intellectual superiority over the cops will be his undoing. However, we may be in for a long wait for the perp to slip up crudely enough to be caught.

And I think he/she will perfer to go out in a blaze of glory rather than suffer the ignobilty of apprehension.

[evad]

I seen numerous comments that this scenario is right out of the Islamic Jihadist "playbook".

Anyone got a link to this "playbook"?

Thanks, Dave

[areafiftyone]

I like the idea of running the registration on Isuzu box trucks on the Eastern Seaboard

That sounds like a good idea. I live in New York and when I travel anywhere at all either down south or up North I seem hundreds of those trucks. They are soooo common it's scary!! They must be pretty cheap for companies to own.

[Sacajaweau]

I'd guess that the video was not from the gas station but one from somewhere adjoining the gas station property showing the sniper "stealthing" the bounday of the gas station.

Sac

[areafiftyone]

seem=see