Coincidences?

Hard, Armchair Detective Work | 10/11 - 10/17 2002 | md576

[Mitchell]

Moderator rusty
195.92.168.164 RE:how do u spot a sniper? 10:19 AM June 19, 2002 glimmer has it absolutely right. make sure the weapon you are carrying looks totally harmless...

This post (by Rusty?) is from the UK, according to the IP address.

[md2576]

Rusty

[md2576]

Thier I.P. must have shown up after I copied and pasted thier posts. Rusty is in U.K. and Glimmer is in Newport News, VA Although I have been unable to find anyone in the whole state with his(glimmers) name.

[md2576]

Shadows I.P. points to Hampton Roads as expected.

[agrandis]

I spent some time on the forum where the story was written (not the same site as where the story was posted). That segment was written by Knuckles

thanks. I figured from the story that it would be either Knuckles or Rusty. I was going about it the hard way, having careful email conversation w/ the compiler of the story. :) Sometimes I do things the hard way.

[agrandis]

I'm thinking the NC boy was meaning the Research Triangle area of NC.

[md2576]

Yeah, not related.
If my theory of his shooting pattern is correct, he will hit either two places tommorow. "Mannassas" or South of Ashland (Petersburg?). I would mostly think it would be south of Ashland if you use #13 Middle and #14 North So #15 would be opposite south of 14 and 15. If there is a shooting in Newport News area, which would more likely be the 3 dot pattern, then I would be VERY Suspecting of Glimmer and the team captain Maddog who I was told of in an email by Shadow. I have been unable to find a Maddog that belongs to thier team. Shadow stated that he leaves in November for couple of months vacation.

[agrandis]

md, this is getting absurd. I have so much to do, and I have become obsessed with this.

I keep being haunted by certain facts, now that you have pointed out this online story and all.

This killer has to be someone that has a mistaken impression that military snipers leave tarot cards at the scene of a kill. This tells me that he is not a former military sniper, but a wannabe one. Obviously, he can shoot okay, though. Also, the only place I can see where he got this misconception about the tarot cards is from that compilation ofa story written on that airsoft forum. Therefore, it DOES seem like it is likely to be an airsoft enthusiast.

On the cards: As I understand it, in Vietnam, death cards were often left on dead enemies, mostly to discourage VC sympathizers. This was usually the Ace of Spades, I think, with a skull or variou pictures on them. there were other cards printed up. I suppose certain tarot cards were also likely used for this purpose. But I find it hard to believe that a Vietnam vet who scattered death cards in the war would use them here in a crime in a whole different context. Also, this appears to be someone not familiar with the meaning of the tarot card, in that superstition.

Looking at people familiar with that online story makes sense, is what I'm saying.

Frighteningly, as I look at the profiles of many VA members, I see several very possible suspects. Our culture is going to Hell. One man has links on his profile page to pornographic sites of a very nasty nature. Let's just say, I hope that guy is not married and does not have any daughters. But nothing concrete. It could be any of these guys, or none of them.

So, did you just come out with it with Shadow? Does he seem to be cooperating?

Good luck, bro! If you see the sniper, don't hesitate to fill him with lead.

[md2576]

md, this is getting absurd. I have so much to do, and I have become obsessed with this.

You are not the only one. I have also wasted time away from my business to search forums. I believe there are several others who will also admit to their addiction in this sniperstory theory.

On the cards: As I understand it, in Vietnam, death cards were often left on dead enemies, mostly to discourage VC sympathizers. This was usually the Ace of Spades, I think, with a skull or various pictures on them. there were other cards printed up. I suppose certain tarot cards were also likely used for this purpose. But I find it hard to believe that a Vietnam vet who scattered death cards in the war would use them here in a crime in a whole different context. Also, this appears to be someone not familiar with the meaning of the tarot card, in that superstition.

When I called the FBI tip line to tell them of the picture on the death card she (pretty much) told me it was NOT a tarot death card left at the scene. Perhaps it was an ace card with the grim reaper handing someone a card on it?

Looking at people familiar with that online story makes sense, is what I'm saying.   It could be any of these guys, or none of them.

You, me and many others agree. I also think it could have come from this story.

I emailed the website to ask them for the whole sniperstory and he said he would get it together for me! I will post it when I have it! I asked why it was deleted and he said he got some emails asking if he had a database of players for the D.C. area so he deleted it to avoid trouble. Wish those idiots would have just looked in the player database!

So, did you just come out with it with Shadow? Does he seem to be cooperating?

It seems Shadow has two, maybe three, posts that are 1 1/2 to 2 hours before shootings in MD. I do not think he is involved. He has been seen in forums preaching about safety and how the best thing about Airsoft is that you get up at the end and go home. Unless he drives fast, and he says he likes to race motorcycles, then he would be posting these as an alibi as some are freakily right before shootings (4 - 6 a.m.). It is easy to search forums as you can choose the name and search all forums for up to a year ago.

Glimmer has not posted in a month. (Still Suspect)

I was told in an email from Shadow that their team captains email address is maddog73@hotmail.com (suspect?)

I could not find any info on this guy at all.

Knuckles nor Rusty have posted in a month as well. these two are in the U.K. as far as I know.

Brandaman is in WV and supposedly 15 (not a suspect)

Hope that help you. I was still unable to find any info on the Hydro-Blasters, Inc. company name. He told me he wasn't taking on anymore business till next year as he is going out of the country for a couple months in Nov.

There is a guy named Reaper (also in story) that has not given any personal info whatsoever.(who knows)

Good luck with the addiction! I have started a team at the www.airsoftzone.com site called The Grim Freepers! :)

You are welcome to sign up and join our team so you can read their posts. Or to mess with their screwy ways of looking at nailing someone in the head with a kill shot. (paintball or not, they got some sick imaginations and scenarios.

-md2576

Please stay tuned for entire post of the "sniperstory"

[agrandis]

Excellent! I'll be awaiting its appearance.

BTW, this is from another thread about the letter left by the sniper: "An angry letter found tacked to a tree behind a restaurant..."

Just another detail from the story - one of he tarot cards was tacked to a tree.

I have also not been able to find anything about maddog on the entire Internet. I am tempted to shell out $25 for a day's use of Lexus Nexus. I have done some investigatin on personal things before, and found that search very valuable.

Is it a little strange that Shadow plans o leave the cuontry next month? Where is this bank the sniper wants monoey wired to. Certainly it isn't a US bank.

[md2576]

The Washington Post ^ | Wednesday, October 23, 2002 | Sari Horwitz and Carol Morello

Posted on 10/22/2002 8:56 PM Pacific by kristinn

The letter listed half a dozen calls that had been "ignored" by operators answering phones at the command center in Rockville, the Montgomery County police station and the FBI. It even named some of the people who had answered the phones.

They had hung up, the letter stated; that was "incompetent."

"Five people had to die" because of it, the letter said, according to one law enforcement source who has seen a copy of the letter.

The tip line was incompetent? That doesn't sound like them.

...sarcasm off.

[md2576]

Shadow is going to Australia

[md2576]

Another post by Shadow:
RE:A REMARK ON CQB AND SNIPING 05:03 PM
October 29, 2001
To: Jungle Spectre,

No offense taken. As the team I am on just started playing CQB scenarios, I feel I cannot make a justifiable comment on your statement. For the color you should wear for CQB, it's a matter of taste. I wear all black because, it looks cool. Big deal, if it is the right color or not. It's just a game, the main thing is to have fun. Oh, and be safe.

The most powerful airsoft weapons can shoot no further than about 50 meters?Huh? Not to sure what you are trying to say there. I have airsoft weapons that will shoot further than 50 meters, which is 54.68 yards, which in turn is 164.04 feet. I also know others who have airsoft weapons that will shoot further than that.

Now, sniping in airsoft and real-world sniping is different, I will give you that. But, you can use real-world sniping techniques in airsoft. Yes, the distances are way closer in airsoft(average engagement is 150 to 200ft.). But, the shooting positions or stances(whatever you want to call them) can be used in airsoft. Real-world sniping techniques in camouflage and concealment can be used in airsoft. The same breathing control can used used in airsoft sniping. The definition of sniper is(for the hundredth time):

sniper (snip'er), n. one who fires on an enemy from concealment; a sharpshooter.

I use a ghillie suit and yes, it can get quite warm in one. I don't see how you figured wearing a ghillie suit is noisy. Never heard anyone say, "I got him because, his ghillie suit was so darn noisy." The use of camouflage and concealment is very important to an airsoft sniper. Even more so to a real-world sniper because, airsoft sniper have to engage their target(s) at closer distances. So, using camouflage and concealment techniques for airsoft sniping would be a very good idea(at least I think). I will agree with you that being stealthy is very important too. Strict noise discipline must be maintained at all time. Being able to sneak in quietly, undetected and unseen is vital in airsoft sniping. Again, because of the distances you have to engage your target(s).

I hope you can see why some real-world sniping techniques can work in airsoft sniping. I am not saying that all techniques will work, but for the most part some will. Or at least some can be modified to work in airsoft sniping.

If I may ask what kind of rifle do you own? Please don't say the Super 9 and if you do. You won't have to explain it any further.

I will have to get back with you on the CQB tactics, in which tactics will work or not that is. Again, the team I am on just started playing CQB scenarios. So, I really can't comment on what will work and what won't. It will be interesting to see just how things will work or not though.

Please try to remember that it is just a game and just have fun and please be safe.

SHADOW

Silent, unseen, stays in the shadows.

[md2576]

It sure is odd that news keeps refering to the word "SHADOW"

Sniper's shadow casts a chill -  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CBS News | In The Shadow Of The Sniper

Sniper Casts Shadow of Fear Over Weekend (washingtonpost.com)

Few Will Play in Sniper's Shadow (washingtonpost.com)

St. Augustine Photo Gallery: Shadow of a Sniper

Surviving in the sniper’s shadow - www.msnbc.com

Life in the Sniper's Shadow - PBS.ORG

[hispanarepublicana]

'mornin. Isn't it easy to see how quickly one can become obsessed with something on the internet....imagine if the obsession is such a bizarre and weird one as airsoft or paintball. I mean, if we're questioning our sanity, imagine the state of mind of many of these airsoft folks.

agrandis: you can get a "pay per use" lexis nexis account now. you give them your credit card number, unlimited searching is free, and then it costs $3.00 for every news item you download in full (I think some of the legal citations may be $6.00).

md2576, have you made any more calls to the tipline? I pinged a FReeper to this thread yesterday who has a sister who is an investigator with the the sniper taskforce. The fact that Shadow is leaving the country soon is, in my opinion, VERY suspicious.

[agrandis]

Wow! Thanks for the good news about Lexus nexus. Will be checking it out.

[md2576]

md2576, have you made any more calls to the tipline? I pinged a FReeper to this thread yesterday who has a sister who is an investigator with the the sniper taskforce. The fact that Shadow is leaving the country soon is, in my opinion, VERY suspicious.

The last call was Sunday when I described the Grim Reaper, Hydro-Blasters business and Glimmers name to them.

She said it would go on the stack the investigator will look at. Seems like a waste of time since they get 100000's of tips from my husband was gone all the time to my neighbor never comes out of his house. I appreciate your help and I also posted this thread so that someone in the law could read it and see some avenues they might look into.

She also suggested I email them the whole story and theory. P.S. did you see my "snipe this" thread?

[agrandis]

Shadow is not the best writer in the world, but his grammar is average, and I wouldn't characterize it as verging on broken English. Sounds like a genuinely nice guy, too. I know people can be deceiving in writing, but I'm not sure someone who is sick enough to do what the killer is doing would write like Shadow.

[agrandis]

That shadow talk by the media just illustrates how they are all essentially just one company. Some writer at the AP writes the story, and they all parrot it. Pathetic news media in this day and age. This is the reason why they all speak with one political voice, too, IMO. They are lazy, period.

[agrandis]

In fact, I would say that Shadow's grammar and spelling is well above average for this day and age.