Beltway Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary-Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002 [Another Shooting?]

Fox News, CNN, Press Releases | October 22, 2002 | Fox News, CNN, Press Releases

[Peach]

Let's keep a live commentary thread gonig again today.

[aristeides]

As I said in a reply above, I suspect the threat was made public because it had already become common knowledge in VA and the secret could therefore not be kept in the rest of the country.

[aeronca]

I've been wondering that too--that the gunman is just a part of a larger blackmail scheme.

[Dog]

Sac ....you missed my point. He was WITHIN 1000 feet BUT DIDN'T go after a kid on the way to school...that was his message.....he could have but didn't.

[yukong]

I really doubt that not reading it would change the consequences. The bottom line is that this guy has shown he can kill who he wants when he wants. Not reading the note isn't going to change that. Other than give the guy more of a rush. We want to tend toward a MET on this thing, but at this point, unless there is a whole lot the LEAs are hiding (which could be) to point solely to METs, then you cannot discount the meticulous, wacko nut theory... and this is just giving him a rush. And when I say a whole lot to solely point to METs then I mean a whole lot because even a lone wacko nut could make it appear to be some sort of MET.

[MagnusMat]

Got it, thanks!

[ET(end tyranny)]

So we are letting him dictate how we investigate. How we go about everything. Unbelievable.

You're right! Guess we better NOT start carrying guns. I mean, just think of the power trip that would give the shooter. He could sit back and laugh about how he scared everyone so badly that they are all now carying guns.

Just when do we draw the line and swop worrying about the fricking sniper and start defending ourselves?? I suppose we can't have the national guard out there either.

Well, why don't we all just line up on the streets and let them shoot us all and get it over with? WE can't do this, we can't do that.

What do YOU propose we do? Oh that's right... NOTHING!

[Sacajaweau]

What the f*** is this creep going to do with several million dollars. Obviously, he wouldn't fit in with your "normal" everyday millionaire. What is he going to do, buy a Mercedes and join a country club? NOT THE MOTIVE!!

Sac

[valleygal]

"My baby girls is a sr. in HS".

Speaking of which, I have been sitting here since after I dropped them off and now it's time to pick up my HS ers, ...gotta
go for a few minutes.

[poppyseed]

I have noticed that Chief Moose has said at least three times to day, "the person or persons".

Diane Kepley, on WTOP on my way home from work, referred to the "person or persons" as "the snipers." No correction there to make it "sniper or snipers." Could have been a normal slip, because this was right after Moose's statement, but I'm wondering what else media know that we don't know - and if what she said was indicative of something she knows that we don't.

[ClancyJ]

BLOAT!

Just what does this mean? Are you talking a foreign language? Is this a new "bad" word?

[aristeides]

Maybe he released it because the parents have a right to make informed decisions for themselves rather than leaving that to administrators and others?

Wouldn't that have meant releasing it Sunday, or Monday at the latest?

[slimer]

John Gibson - Fox News, has some guy on saying that if it weren't for television, maybe this would not be happening. Television is EVIL! Turn off your t.v's and get a life.

[Darlin']

I agree with all you said, including the puking part. LOL

[Elenya]

the gunman is just a part of a larger blackmail scheme.

These gunmen are mercenaries for... (Fill in the blanks).

I'd say Saddam, but your guess is as good as mine. Heck, just 2 days ago I was still hanging on to my homegrown sickos theory...

[berkeleybeej]

turn off the tv's, radios, AND FR??

I think not.

[Vol2727]

I taped this conference in case I missed it. Anyways, I watched it over and over and wrote down everything verbatim.

"We have two major points and will not be in a position to take any questions.

We have received a communication and will be responding soon.

Secondly, there continues to be a great deal of speculation as to a reference, a threat in the message previously received as stated earlier. Everyone knows that our citizens are and have been at risk. The person or people have demonstrated a willingness and ability to shoot people of all ages, all races, all genders. And they've struck at different times of the day, different days, and different locations.

We recognize the concerns of the community and therefore, are going to provide the exact language in the message that pertains to the threat. It's in the form of a postscript.

YOUR CHILDREN ARE NOT SAFE ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME.

We feel it's important to provide the information to the public. We are not providing the remaining content of the message. It does not communicate to the public. However, to share that at this point would be detrimental to the investigation and will not be released.

Please understand that this exact language has previously shared with the leadership, law enforcement, community leadership, people that needed to make decisions.

As a result of numerous inquiries and reporting of incorrect versions, different versions, we felt it was important to come out and give the exact version so that people can have it and put it in the proper context."

[poppyseed]

I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your posts, as far as anyone can enjoy anything related to this case. I find your insights and clear-headedness refreshing and reassuring. Could you maybe volunteer for the task force? ; )

[aristeides]

"expert" on CNN saying all parents need to go to schools and daycare, etc., and check out "line of sight" around the schools.

What about stationing the National Guard at schools?

[ClancyJ]

The millions? Didn't I read that the terrorist cell in Virginia had their funds dry up. They had to leave Colorado because of fund problems. Weren't they trying to buy land or something and then couldn't because of lack of funds?

Sorry this is fuzzy but I saw something about a large Muslim compound in Virgina and something about shortage of funds.