Beltway Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary-Monday, Oct. 21, 2002

You got it! Here's the prayer thread if you want to read what others have prayed and written.

1,441 posted on 10/21/2002 8:14:52 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~

"Here's the prayer thread "

Thanks, Kim. I know it's always a comfort when I know someone is praying for me. Perhaps I can return the favor.

1,442 posted on 10/21/2002 8:16:47 PM PDT by bcoffey

Someone posted on another thread yesterday that their friend (or family member?) had seen a guy on a bike with a rifle in a backpack. I think it was near one of the shooting sights. Can't remember which thread this was posted on though.

1,443 posted on 10/21/2002 8:16:49 PM PDT by shattered

Why was he upset?

There was info that was leaked to the media and on the news which they felt was impt to the investigation, and probably the sniper didn't want anything given out to the public, or he would kill another to prove his point..

1,444 posted on 10/21/2002 8:17:36 PM PDT by Bella

I don't know why every LE office hasn't been issued flares. If they can get to the scene within 2-3 minutes, they ought to light up the sky in the direction of the shooter. It would at least tell everyonr to be on the lookout - I'd take down every licence plate that passed ...

1,445 posted on 10/21/2002 8:18:06 PM PDT by 11th_VA

Thanks for answering my question. I can see you have been emotionally effected by this situation as many of us have been. I can also see you are placing yourself in the position of the Chief and it makes you sympathize deeply with his position. There are however, a few things I hope you will consider.

"The reason is that other shootings have occurred in and out of Moose's area and state, and Moose is still leading the show..We're aware that the FBI, etc are involved and really should be leading the way on this and haven't emerged as which they rightfully should have taken over..Also, the shootings in VA--things went right back to Moose."

Crimes like these - even henious ones - are not just automatically taken over completely from local authorities. Very early on, as the scope of the crimes was spreading, they decided on the 'task force' approach. It is one that is commonly used. Since Moose had the most murders at the time, I'll bet it was just a matter of courtesy that it was agreed that he would lead the task force. Anyway - the reason it keeps coming back to Moose is that he REALLY is the leader of the task force. Now - I know there are many here who don't think that means anything but I think he has subtantial input and control as is evidenced by his uncontested control over communications.

"The tarot cards had messages on all of them and Moose is the guy who's been communicating with them..He's stressed to the max as everyone can see and I'm sure Moose really doesn't want to be in the position he is, but HAS to..Right now it's an extremely dangerous game and the nutcase certainly has everyone's attention, and there's no way any changes would take place to PO the sniper or someone and many would pay with their life for a screwup...Look how tense Moose was today when he came on the news asking the sniper/whoever, to please call back and they wanted to get the message correct.."

Up until today, we have no reason to believe anyone has communicated with the sniper and we really have no reason to believe that Moose is not just handling the on camera communication because that's what he's done since the very first day. You might have also noticed that he never said he personally took the shooter's call...and we had better hope he does not. Because we would all be better served to have a professional negotiator do that job.

What I'm trying to say is, you do not believe that Moose wants to be in this situation because you can put yourself in that situation and you know you would not choose it. I maintain that knowing his history from his time as chief in Portland (I lived there all that time), that he does want this position and will not willingly give it up. He has not been chosen by the shooter. He chose himself.

Anyway, thanks for letting me know what you think. I know we are both hoping for the best possible outcome here.

1,446 posted on 10/21/2002 8:19:43 PM PDT by Route66

Yeah, well murdering snipers will find some reason or another, no matter what you do. Never play to their cards.

1,447 posted on 10/21/2002 8:20:21 PM PDT by bvw

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~

Thanks again, Kim, I haven't been there yet today but will check in before I log off.

1,449 posted on 10/21/2002 8:20:53 PM PDT by valleygal

Capital Idea!

1,450 posted on 10/21/2002 8:21:26 PM PDT by WRhine

Yes, that must have been where I read it. Would that have been on the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad trail? Are there any other likely spots for joggers and cyclists three miles from Seven Corners?

1,451 posted on 10/21/2002 8:21:43 PM PDT by aristeides

Delivery driver? A UPS or Fed EX driver covers a lot of ground in a week, and nobody would pay attention to another one of those trucks cruising around. Plus they work odd hour and days. Theory?
Plus, a lot has been made of the military angle, but any good deer or turkey hunter would be able to work in cover and concealment. Deer and turkey are alot more alert to what goes on around them (must come from being shot at a good deal) than most people.

1,452 posted on 10/21/2002 8:22:23 PM PDT by cavtrooper21

The gals who thought up the idea for that prayer thread are awesome folks who care so much. I can't seem to get over the fact that I'm still taking for granted certain things in my life, KNOWING the trauma those folks are going through in virginia, maryland etc..

1,454 posted on 10/21/2002 8:23:03 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~

Thank you, I'll look in before I leave. :)

1,455 posted on 10/21/2002 8:23:52 PM PDT by Letitring

Sorry, badly phrased. I'm half asleep. I didn't mean they never use "le," just not in that context.

1,456 posted on 10/21/2002 8:24:29 PM PDT by Amore

To: shattered; Fred Mertz

Thanks. Fred Mertz gives what I think is the right answer in #1438.

1,457 posted on 10/21/2002 8:24:29 PM PDT by aristeides

Well, that might explain the longer periods of time between the shootings. He had the first several plotted out before the first shot was fired. Opened with a big production. Maximum effect. Maximum attention. Maximum show. That got the LEAs attention. However, it took some forensic work to tie them together. He still had a little free hand as to timing. but as this thing progresses, he is got a little less freedom to roam about. He has to blend in to do his recon. But really that is not that hard. Just drive around. Look for a busy spot with easy ingress/egress. With multiple avenues of ingress/egress. He must have route A, and then an emergency route B or C. Look for cover. A must. A spot that is dark. Even in the daytime. A spot that when wearing dark clothes, he is less visible. If it is a terrorist ie: Islamic, type, he had probably been on the ground for a long time. I would bet that the first several places had been reconned for sometime before the first shot was fired. I would speculate that even the last several places were reconned early on. He probably has several plans. Several A spots, B spots, and C spots. Depending on the heat. And this guy is very patient. If he feels the heat one day, big deal. Wait for tomorrow. He is in no hurry. That is another reason I sway away from wacko nut-case. Because they are not the patient types. It takes a special type to be this patient. That is why his agenda is so important. His patience is remarkable.

But, back to the question at hand. He is very patient in recon. He may make several trips to the spot(s) at different times of day. To determine the traffic load. Both in the realm of witness considerations, and in the getaway considerations. He won't likely strike at rush hour, because escape is a lot harder then. So we have midmorning, midafternoon, or late evening. the only one that could be argued as rush hour was the school shooting. And I would suspect that may have been the one non-preplanned hits. That was done for maximum effect. Police say schools are safe. "oh yeah" Boom.

You probably would never notice this guy reconning. Again, possibly not the shooter. May be others in his team. They will blend in. May be shopping. Eating out. Etc. And if they are Middle Eastern, they may be mixblood. they aren't going to be the kind with the scraggly beards and the head garb, and the Shoe Bomber look. They will be very clean cut, professional, next-door neighbor like. May even be very personable to the waitress, cashier, etc.

1,458 posted on 10/21/2002 8:24:31 PM PDT by yukong

I almost forgot to check in myself. If not for that post by Letitring. I'm so grateful to have read letitring's post...we don't hear about that stuff on the news.

1,459 posted on 10/21/2002 8:25:00 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8

To: aristeides; doosee

You'll have to ask doosee. I don't recall if she was specific on the location, but she did say that the bicyclist stood out in a yuppie area. Personally, I don't think her daughter's eyewitness report was particularly valuable in this case.

I suppose someone could search on her posts and post her comments here.

1,460 posted on 10/21/2002 8:25:45 PM PDT by Fred Mertz

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