Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

DC Sniper: Middle Eastern connection
AP reports ^ | Self

Posted on 10/18/2002 8:39:36 PM PDT by jaime1959

The big news today was that VA authorities are filing charges against Matthew Dowdy of Falls Church for making a false statement about the last shooting on Monday night.

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - Virginia authorities on Friday arrested a man accused of misleading investigators in the Washington-area sniper shootings by falsely describing an olive-skinned man and a cream-colored Chevrolet Astro van with a burned-out taillight at the scene of one killing.

Matthew Dowdy, 37, of Falls Church, Va., was arrested by Fairfax County, Va., police Friday afternoon and charged with making a false statement, said police spokeswoman Isabel Benemelis. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail.

Authorities began doubting his story - what had initially seemed a good break in the frustrating case - after comparing it with accounts from others who saw the fatal shooting of an FBI analyst Monday night in a shopping center parking garage.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20021018/D7MO9QCO0.html

This charge against Dowdy supposedly debunks a possible Middle Eastern connection (olive-skinned man), right?

However, Mr. Dowdy wasn't the only witness to see a man of possible Middle Eastern descent leaving the scene in a white van.

(AP) Robert Young, a Washington construction worker, was among witnesses who returned to the shopping center Tuesday to talk with police. He said he had heard a muffled gunshot and seen a white van Monday night.

Young said as he backed his truck out of his parking spot, a white Astro van with two men inside tried to turn into his lane. He said the driver appeared very agitated to find his way blocked and instead drove by a neighboring restaurant and out of sight.

Young described the driver as a short man of slight build who appeared to be Middle Eastern. "I got a good look at the guy," he said.

The driver "seemed to be excessively irritated because he couldn't pull into my lane," he said. "I thought this fool was going to want to get out of the van and duke or something. But he didn't. He kept on going."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20021016/ap_on_re_us/sniper_shootings_214

So, while Mr. Dowdy may have lied, we have another witness who also saw a Middle Eastern looking man leaving the scene in a white van.

Curious.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: Maryland; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: investigation; middleeastern; sniper
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 last
To: spetznaz
Not so much a conspiracy as Liberal "Group Think". They all want a white guy.
41 posted on 10/18/2002 10:38:46 PM PDT by Musket
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: spetznaz
You've been a good sport about my questioning your handle - but let me know what you think about this link that relates some relatively recent activities by spetsnaz that shows they haven't changed too much since the pre-1989 days. Link

Regular use of spetsnaz (operative groups) as a preventive measure has been a local initiative in N.Novgorod region since 1992. Alongside with establishing LPUs (local-preventive zone) spetsnaz was widely used for suppression and threatening prisoners to the end of 1994.

Using spetsnaz was a planned event aimed at "confiscating illegal things" in accordance with order #267 of Ministry of Home Affairs.

More than 20 complaints from 10 ITUs of Nizhny Novgorod region on unlawful actions of spetsnaz were received. NNSHR members and regional Council deputy Vinokurov Y. L. made site visits and verified these facts. Information on cruel treatment, beatings, unlawful use of special means, damage of personal things and, in particular cases, torture on the part of spetsnaz officers was confirmed.

All the information from prisoners on unlawful actions including physical injuries inflicted by officers of spetsnaz in ITK-1, ITK-4 on June 4, 1992, in ITK-6 on June 25, July 20-23, 1992; in ITK-12 on June 2, 1992; in ITK-20 in August, 1992 and March 29, 1994 was almost completely confirmed. In some cases unlawful actions of spetsnaz were confirmed by ITU staff (UZ-62/4, 7, 12). In two cases the Procuracy instituted legal proceedings but later dismissed the cases.

So called "searching events" usually arranged by spetsnaz in punishment cells and LPUs should be especially considered. Searching prisoners spetsnaz officers drive them out of their cells. Meanwhile, they beat prisoners, use special means (clubs, dogs, gas) and damage personal things. Any protests are cut rudely.

Having finished their "job" (as it was, for example, in UZ #62/20) spetsnaz employees make prisoners write statements that they have no claims against spetsnaz actions. Prisoners are often punished when they apply for medical confirmation of their injuries.

The use of spetsnaz in ITK-4 on January 29, 1993 can serve as a typical pattern of resorting to spetsnaz help. This day prisoners in PKT and ShIZO went on hunger strike to menefest their protest which was supported by the majority of prisoners the next day. To suppress the inmates spetsnaz started beating them using special means. According to official information one prisoner being severely injured was sent to the prison hospital, according to prisoners' evidence there were three of them. Eye witnesses reported that all protesters had been beaten to various extent and some of them tortured. Some soldiers from the ITK's guarding troops also were injured.

From prisoners' letters:

"Spetsnaz soldiers came equipped with landing knives and began beating and torturing ShIZO and PKT inmates. They beat them with their legs and clubs, strangled with a towel until a man got unconscious and then poured cold water on him. They did it like this: ask the article, the term of imprisonment and then started beating. Several people had been beaten till they got unconscious and then got their heads sunk in the open toilet..."

"They also used a "Chinese" torture throwing a prisoner on the table and beating him with a club on the heels. Also, they forced a man to make the splits beating him. They came in, asked inmates who would clean the floor and those who refused were driven in the corridor and beaten. Having thrown a prisoner on the floor and holding his hands and legs they stood on his back or chest and jumped. Inmates were stripped naked and beaten. Spetsnaz employees stood on the table and beat with their feet on the prisoner’s face. Prisoners are not allowed to report about injuries, either they are not given paper and pens to write a complaint."

"In the evening that day eight spetsnaz soldiers came in accompanied by inspectors. Being heavily drunk spetsnaz soldiers were provoking prisoners." (from the letter signed by 60 prisoners) dated January 29, 1993.

"In the morning after breakfast six or seven people came in, all of them wearing masks, began to beat us. They had been beating us till we fell. After pouring water on us they beat again. Then we were dragged in the cells. Screams were heard in the isolation cell till noon. Later, at about five, they came again. The procedure repeated all over again."

A similar situation happened in ITU-20 (the Lukoyanov town) where on March 29, 1994 a spetsnaz group was brought in according to the plan. During four days "searching and patrol actions" were held. While searching prisoners in PKT, ShiZO and LPU, spetsnaz soldiers beat inmates using special means. This was confirmed by prisoners' evidence. Prisoners reported that they had been beaten mostly on the stomach, chest and on the back of the head. On being threatened prisoners refused to apply for the medical examination.

On May 17, 1994 a spetsnaz group was brought in again. Alongside with search, spetsnaz soldiers made special "working up" of "negatively minded" prisoners calling them one by one to the headquarters of the institution and in the LPU.

Notably, during two-three years of resorting to spetsnaz as "preventive measure", no mass riots or disorders took place in the regional colonies (with the exception of cases being provoked by spetsnaz itself). The practice of such "preventive" use of spetsnaz was stopped only due to considerable public efforts after deputies hearings and appeals to the Governor.

42 posted on 10/18/2002 10:43:36 PM PDT by vbmoneyspender
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: HairOfTheDog
"I am a betting chick, and I think this guy is a lone nut job, whatever his creed turns out to be.

Isn't it Sexist to assume it’s a guy and not a chick?

43 posted on 10/18/2002 10:48:48 PM PDT by babygene
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: vbmoneyspender
I am man enough to say that although i knew they did a lot of 'questionable stuff' in Afghanistan that did not know their activities extended to simple 'tough man' brutality. Thanks for showing that to me.
44 posted on 10/18/2002 10:51:10 PM PDT by spetznaz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: spetznaz
What part of the Soviet Military did Spetznaz come under?...Answer, the GRU, Soviet Military Intelligence. Actually I think the comparison of the SS to the Spetnaz is not so far fetched, if one specifies the Waffen SS.

I also think cutting off a few Islamofacisti heads could be very productive, as long as they are the right heads. bin Laden, or if he's already gone to his reward, his chief deputy, Sadamn, and assorted Ayatollahs in Iraq and whatever they call those Saudi religious police with whips.

45 posted on 10/18/2002 11:03:13 PM PDT by El Gato
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: babygene
Probably.... but the he/she, guy/gal thing is so tedious.
46 posted on 10/18/2002 11:09:54 PM PDT by HairOfTheDog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: RebelDawg
The very thought of stating the obvious horrifies you

Truth, conscious of its purity, blurts out downright things - Lucian

47 posted on 10/18/2002 11:37:10 PM PDT by dr_lew
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: jaime1959
How did he know he was short if the guy was sitting? How does he know he has a slight build?

However, I'd say most construction guys are pretty good observers and "trouble-ready".

Kinda reminds you of the Atta incident in the airport parking lot.

Sac

48 posted on 10/19/2002 6:36:28 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jaime1959
Maybe Robert Young DID see the white van with the grumpy Middle Easterners....and maybe they wanted to be seen at that place and at that tme, while the shooter, who was possibly across Rt. 50, slipped away. Many Freepers have raised the possibility of the white van being used as a decoy, and it sounds very plausible to me.
49 posted on 10/19/2002 6:43:42 AM PDT by DC native
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: aeronca
Pretty much standard practice around here for major accidents/crime cases except they hire private surveyors.

Sac

50 posted on 10/19/2002 6:47:01 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Common Tator
Ever thought that the witness may have pulled forward, having backed into a parking spot, or pulled thru from the adjacent parking spot?

This then would put the witness in a perfect spot to view the occupants of the "van". The witness may have pulled into the lane, blocking the escaping terrorists lane, having hesitated momentarilly and getting a good look at the perps.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions that this witness is a LIAR.

51 posted on 10/19/2002 7:03:21 AM PDT by rstevens
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: PUGACHEV
Are you sure those lanes are one way?

The lanes in the Home Depot are not one-way.

52 posted on 10/19/2002 7:09:21 AM PDT by angkor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Sacajaweau
Pretty much standard practice around here for major accidents/crime cases except they hire private surveyors.

I'm in small town, don't see much CSI around here. Local LE pretty much covers traffic, ocassional weekend brawl and shop-lifters.

53 posted on 10/19/2002 7:16:03 AM PDT by aeronca
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: jaime1959
(AP) Robert Young, a Washington construction worker, was among witnesses who returned to the shopping center

There isn't enough information in any of the Robert Young reports to make any determination whatsoever.

Which lane was he in? Which direction did the "white van" come from? How did it go around the restaurant? Was he near the store, or near the back of the lot? Was this before or after the shot, and by how long?

The HD lot is small and usually crowded (I can't speak for Monday night), and there are frustrations in trying to navigate it and find a space: people parking, people exiting, customers walking in the lanes, or coming out with bulky Home Depot sorts of wares. Personally I always go to the upstairs lot, because it's considerably less difficult than parking downstairs.

So another agitated driver wouldn't surprise me at all. In fact is is quite common there in my experience (this is my local HD).

That this agitated person was "Middle Eastern" is not even relevant given that there is no other information.

54 posted on 10/19/2002 7:21:20 AM PDT by angkor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RodgerD
Is it not possible that the white van in the HD parking area was a decoy, allowing the perps to escape via rt 50 from across the hw?

It seems to me that if all the witness testimony points to a white van, mexican or ME sighting etc. it should be concluded that these shooting are not from a "white wacko" randomly killing people, but a much more sophisticated, thought-out plan and execution.

If this is a well planned operation, then it is being done by more than one or two wack jobs and it must be a terrorist endeavor.

While we are all listening to these pointy headed professors on TV, the perps, read terrorists, are on their way to a new location like LA or Phoenix or Detroit, where they will join with their brothers and begin another rampage of killing.

Meanwhile, the thinking people of Maryland and VA, are arming themselves at a rate of up to 500% above normal gun purchasing. not giving a sh*t if it is terrorists or whatever.

I'd like to know if the LE who have been stopping all of these white vans are keeping statistics as to the nationality of these drivers.

55 posted on 10/19/2002 7:32:56 AM PDT by rstevens
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: DC native
My theory exactcly. I firmly believe that all of these shooting were by different people, terrorists, who live in all of the surrounding areas of DC.

I believe that a white van is being used as a decoy, while the shooters, who live just a block or so away jump into their black toyota after the shooting and drive to their safe haven and park their cars in a garage. Then they sit and watch TV to see just how effective their plan is working.

I also believe that the shell casing found in the white van was planted, to bring focus back to the various white vans sighted.

These folks, like the 9/11 terrorists, have had many years to establish their locations and planning.

If this is the case, we Americans will have to take care of this situation ourselves. We can not trust the Govt nor police to be able to protect us. We will need to take to the streets and purge the muslim threat ourselves. And this is exactly what the Govt/Police fear most.

56 posted on 10/19/2002 7:42:43 AM PDT by rstevens
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: rstevens
I also believe that the shell casing found in the white van was planted, to bring focus back to the various white vans sighted.

My thoughts exactly. And to make people think they left the area. If it's related, I'd say planted.

57 posted on 10/19/2002 8:07:07 AM PDT by Elenya
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: angkor
So another agitated driver wouldn't surprise me at all. In fact is is quite common there in my experience (this is my local HD).

I do believe you're right about the snipers being in the school parking lot. That's why I think the people who were seen in the HD area have nothing to do with the shooting.

So assuming the driver seen by the construction worker is a ME man/men driving a white van in the HD area, even if he's innocent, he would have to be scared. People could decide he did it and not give him time to prove he's innocent. Furthermore, according to several FReepers, there are lots of ME people in this area. So the chances of ME men driving a white van and shopping at HD is rather high I'd say.

FWIW, I have no idea what the snipers race or the skin color is. And I think they're too far from the crime seen for any witness to be able to tell, at least so far.

58 posted on 10/19/2002 8:18:21 AM PDT by Elenya
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: GeorgeandtheDralgore
Should read: or skin color
59 posted on 10/19/2002 8:29:25 AM PDT by Elenya
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

Comment #60 Removed by Moderator


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson