Beltway Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary-Friday-Oct. 18, 2002

Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences | October 18, 2002 | Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences

[Quilla]

Yes, xsmommy, I heard that as well - I believe it was reported by Catherine Heritage (sp) on Fox and Friends this morning. She mentioned the shooter was not the 30 yards away as per the bogus witness, but instead, 100+ yards and across the street.

[xsmommy]

that makes much more sense. the shooter entering that parking lot in that plaza made none. this pretty much guarantees that the escape route was out route 50 westbound, towards the beltway (and in the opposite direction of the mosque on Rte. 7 east).

[CPL BAUM]

I humbly disagree. Whether terrorist or psychopath, they are not going to simply stop - UNLESS the heat is severely on. For all of my Moose bashing as of late for his failure to help the public help him, I think the shooter(s) might very well be on the surveillance list - and KNOW it.

As for that sick friggin' [non]witness of Monday night's attack: string him up in the public square by his toe-nails. If there's another killing - he might very well be to blame for the perp's last escape. The whole world was looking for a van with a busted tail light. Lock him up and throw away the key.

[Moose-Owie]

As for that sick friggin' [non]witness of Monday night's attack: string him up in the public square by his toe-nails. If there's another killing - he might very well be to blame for the perp's last escape. The whole world was looking for a van with a busted tail light.

Agree. Obstruction of justice?

[CPL BAUM]

Obstruction of justice?

& making false statements...or worse. Let him be the B%tch of "Cell-Block D" for a year or two.

[tomkat]

no dear, in this instance i mean flatout, for real, lean-out-the-window-and-holler 'i'm mad as hell and i'm not gonna take it anymore' crazy !

now if you'll excuse me for a moment, i need to refill this crypto-coffee ...
fofl !

[politeia]

Whether they have gone underground or not, the entire nation needs to prepare for this type of attack since it has been so successful and the authorities have been foiled.

I think the only way to confront this attack is to prevent the killers from escaping and that will take using instant communication with all drivers in an area. I think we should reactivate the cold war era civil defense horn alarm systems that can be instantly sounded and drivers are alerted to tune to a civil defense radio frequency and listen for instructions. I believe these horns were sounded from fire stations throughout the city and could be heard everywhere. Drivers could be told to stop in place (like the air stop on 9-11. Police on motorcycles could then go after those who continue moving or investigate stopped vehicles.

I am afraid that police will not stop this using typical law enforcement tactics. It will take thinking outside the box and using citizens to defend our own communities.

[tomkat]

evidently because he's in MD ?
i didn't notice the date of his letter - did all that happen since the shootings started ?

if so, it's a perfect example of the CF this 'investigation' appears to be.
wonder if the gun nazis woulda come out of the woodwork like this if it
had all gone down in, say, texas or wyoming or ...

[Peach]

Disagreement is why we're here! On CNN Tuesday night, a reporter was telling the anchor that several police AND federal sources had told her that both an Astrovan and white box truck were captured on videotape at the gas station minutes before Friday's shooting at that location. She further said that similar videotape was captured at Monday's location, all of which linked the two vehicles. She further stated that "several" witnesses at Friday and Monday's shootings said they saw olive-skinned men in those vehicles, and one or two witnesses said there were two men in one of the two vehicles. Since that night, CNN has not repeated that report, and I think it's because law enforcement has requested they stop releasing that kind of info.

Additionally, why would the FBI be going to Camp Gitmo? It certainly isn't to find out what the prisoners know - there are already military officers capable of doing that. I think the FBI is going to Camp Gitmo to show pictures and video to the detainees and make them talk. I think the heat is on the shooters and they will go underground for a while. They'll either ultimately change their MO, vehicles, alter their appearance or change locations. If I hadn't heard CNN's report that seemed to be coming from several sources and two shootings, I'd be agreeing with you wholeheartedly. Of course, we're talking CNN...(maybe I should rethink my entire scenario!).

[McGruff]

Interesting NY Post cartoon

[Peach]

What a great idea about the civil defense horn alarms. Since nearly everyone has cell phones these days, if they hear on the radio who or what to lookout for, it would be easier to capture the shooters in this manner. Think you're right about this new manner of terrorism on our shores - what they've done has worked and we can expect more to come.

[tomkat]

excellent 'toon !

[Peach]

Okay, tomkat. It's time to get off FR and turn off the tv before your friends have to bail you out of jail or send a chill-pill valium through the mail. Keep the windows closed and maybe put a little something in that coffee!

[mystery-ak]

...notice in the cartoon the shooter is smoking....

[tomkat]

that's the main problem with the kinda work i do:
alcohol and 5000rpm knives don't mix real well ...

dammit !
now if i were a drunken accountant ....

[Peach]

that's the main problem with the kinda work i do: alcohol and 5000rpm knives don't mix real well

Wish I could be more articulate, but I'm seriously sleep-deprived so here's my question: huh?

[Moose-Owie]

I was thinking something similar. When one hears a shot, and you are on a major road. Stay put. This would make it difficult for the shooter to get out or move through traffic. While sitting there, look around and see if someone is frantic in trying to move into or through traffic.

If you have a cell phone, call LE and let them know what your location is, they can check to see if a 911 call has been made regarding a shooting in that area.

[tomkat]

...notice in the cartoon the shooter is smoking....

okay missy, somethin' you're tryin' to say here, or what ??

[Moose-Owie]

.notice in the cartoon the shooter is smoking....

Oh yes. Sure sign of a bad guy! </sarcasm

[CPL BAUM]

Excellent post, Peach.

I did not realize that CNN reported all that info - sourcing to state and fed (probably because there's a self-imposed prohibition against watching CNN in my home).

Taken at face value, that report explains the caution LE is taking regarding the release of additonal information. How do you issue a composite sketch when different witnesses are descibing different members of the cell. Take one cell member out - and you're still left with 3-4 who will soon thereafter strike again and "vindicate" the member in custody - eroding public confidence in LE at the same time. That would be a nightmasre scenario.

We should know A LOT more by the end of the day. If there's no attack, bet your bottom dollar, they have the cell under tight surveillance. I'm just not convinced a terrorist cell would pack bags and disappear. Wouldn't be the first time I was flat wrong, though.