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

Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences | October 21, 2002 | Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences

[Peach]

Let's keep a live commentary thread going again today. The FBI Tip # is 1-888-324-9800.

[Howlin]

The name of this guy?

[twntaipan]

For sure, that phone booth is NOT going to get away.

[LisaFab]

It looks like the standard roof thingie that comes standard with the vehicle.

[Lion's Cub]

When the media/LEO's have said he doesn't hit on weekends, he does. When the media/LEO's say schools are safe, he hits a kid. You get the point. I don't see that kind of taunting coming from AQ. What's your take on AQ taunting in the manner we've seen?

I'm not sure that's taunting--though it's clearly designed to look that way.

I think it has something to do with the communication between the government (probably WH) and the shooter(s).

I think the shooter(s) has been leaving demands for the release of Ahmed Abdul Rahman with the tarot card (The Sword), Ahmed's nickname. I think that's why they won't show us the card. (And it could be that showing that card would be the signal for other cells to start up, too.)

There's a negotiating process going on-all done in code--which is why Moose has so many press conferences, and why he is the one who is always giving them. He's the government's spokesperson, relaying the message in the negotiation. When the shooter is not pleased with the answer, he kills and leaves another message.

I know that's not much of an explanation, but it's the best I can do right now. I just know that they are negotiating through those conferences.

[mhking]

Nothing in Richmond;

WTOP/Washington Live
WMAL/Washington Live

[mystery-ak]

...maybe he is holding this poor guy's family hostage?

[Miss Marple]

Haven't heard it yet. Fox said police had released the name, but it wasn't on any wire sory they could find.

[mewzilla]

The press conference is on hold. Shoe dropping right now, I think.

[Howlin]

Live thread ping for EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE!

[iceskater]

the standard roof thingie

I used to call that thingie a luggage rack. I guess called a ladder rack now?

[Peach]

Those are good answers Lion's Cub. Looks like they MIGHT have the guy - turn on Fox or CNN.

[ThinkingMan]

Thanks

[areafiftyone]

Jeeze if they are having an emergency news conference maybe they did catch him.

[Peach]

Fox News "Police are pretty confident they may have the Beltway shooter". That's a quote.

[mhking]

Shoe dropping right now, I think.

You couldn't write a movie script this disjointed...

[Howlin]

Fox saying that the police are "fairly confident" that they have caught "their man!!!!" BAloney!

[Howlin]

It looks like a plain old luggage rack to me.

[LisaFab]

I'm confused by the two scene-angle of the scene. Is the clear shot of the van and phone coming from a chopper?

The CNN babe looked like she was standing no further than 30-40 feet away from the van. It seems all of the LE vehicles are on the opposite corner.

The van is a Plymouth Voyager with VA temporary tags.

[corlorde]

Messenger?

[Quilla]

Thanks again, I've got my fingers crossed.