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.

[mhking]

weren't some of the first shootings also near the Gate of Heaven Cemetery ?

Yes, this is within a few hundred yards of at least one of the other shootings.

[David]

The information about the demands may have a number of possible explanations. Whatever the police think they may do to confirm, the possibility exists that the demands are not in fact related to the shooting.

Assuming however that they are, there is another issue that should be considered. Note that shortly after the task force delegation went to Cuba (Guantanimo), we announced we were going to release a number of the detainees. This may be the real demand, not money.

[.30Carbine]

Then tell me, what would be enough, to release...?

From post #430 and the article linked there:

"...the man in a US police sketch of the gunman..."

I would very much like this sketch to be released! I can not imagine, if the report is correct in saying that there *is* such a sketch, why on earth it would not be released.

[mhking]

Most likely, the sounds were reverberations, echos from the shots.

That would be my likely guess - there's what appeared to be a post office building nearby, plus whatever stone walls and additional architecture around; an echo wouldn't be out of line there.

[madison10]

No. Their governor banned hunting in the four county area near the shootings.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

The Frenchman went to the U.S. and Canada for a holiday in August and was due to return to the academy for the resumption of classes at the beginning of September but failed to turn up.

Now this is different from something else I'd read...will get back if I find something.

[mystery-ak]

Good catch...you could be right.

[Freedom2specul8]

If you're looking at behaviours..think hypervigilence and post tramatic stress disorder. What the heck do you expect from people who are being traumatized? Lucky you to not have a fearful bone in your body. You are unusually lucky..or maybe not. Most people have a self-preservation gene in their bodies.

[mhking]

I can not imagine, if the report is correct in saying that there *is* such a sketch, why on earth it would not be released.

Big if - I'm sure that if there were an accurate police sketch or even description, that it would be released. If it's not an accurate sketch, then you've got everyone looking for the wrong person. And at the same time, let's look at the other point: the media has been wrong as much as right on this entire case. The report could be just plain wrong.

[rintense]

Just specualting here... but, isn't it quite possible that the sniper *IS* of foreign decent (Middle Eastern), and the police aren't making that public out of fear of a huge backlash against Middle Easterners in the entire country?

Just specualtion...

[Hatteras]

The Michael's store and the cabbie at the Mobil station were about 2 or 3 blocks away on Connecticut and the lady at Leisure World is about 2-3 minutes up the road on Georgia Ave.

Friends of mine in the area called this morning when they were awakened by the helicopters (multiple) and sirens. They are behind the Mobil station about three or four blocks into the neighborhood. This mornings shooting was very near the far corner of the cemetary and a good possibility the shooter was on the cemetary grounds.

[rintense]

Someone brought that up yesterday. My point was, what threat could be so horrible that it would prompt the release of Gitmo folks?

[yukong]

Shucks, I guess I won't be getting much work done today. After I signed off last night, I had a hard time falling asleep. Pondering different angles. Was in the shower this AM again with many different thoughts running through my head, when I heard of this most recent shooting. This new information is now being processed as we speak. The only thing that really has me rethinking my positions is this alleged demand for money. Hummmmmmmm.

[Quilla]

I too would like to see that sketch released to the public - think of the high probability that someone will recognize the shooter. IMHO, law enforcement is playing their hand too close to their chests - all information should be released. The American public wants this madness to stop and will assist LEO in their investigation. Why not increase BOLO potential 1000 fold?

[Merovingian]

Channel 9 says that LE did not open the letter from sniper until next day due to forensics testing. UTTERLY unacceptable........

[mhking]

Just specualting here... but, isn't it quite possible that the sniper *IS* of foreign decent (Middle Eastern), and the police aren't making that public out of fear of a huge backlash against Middle Easterners in the entire country?

Interesting thought, but at this stage, I think that even a hint of that would spark a retaliation and backlash against law enforcement that would be just as bad. And if that is true, and comes out, I think you can kiss "political correctness" in this country goodbye.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, that is potent and logical speculation. I have thought that, only because almost TWO WEEKS ago Chief Moose had a slip of the tongue and said they were afraid of releasing anymore information 'that might tend to paint a whole group...and cause problems for THEM' (paraphrase).

The theory is that they want to mobilize all forces and capture the person first, then they can release that he was an AQ but since they have him in custody they could then urge strong public obedience not to strike out against any area Religion of Peace-ists.

[Hatteras]

There is a Post Office across the street and down a hundred yards or so and a K-mart right behind that.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Ciao, everyone! Try and have a good day.

Need to go work on my Halloween costumes. Please,wish me luck, cause I don't sew and can't read a pattern to save my life. But somehow, some way, dh and I will be a (Bob the) tomato and a (Larry the) cucumber. :)

See y'all later!

[mhking]

we announced we were going to release a number of the detainees

Excuse me, we did?

When the hell did that happen!?

Notice that the mainstream media ain't saying Jack Squat about that.

We CAN'T negotiate with terrorists. We will get burned if we do!