Beltway Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary-Wed., Oct. 23,2002

Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences | October 23, 2002 | Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences

[Peach]

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

All seems quiet since yesterday's news the shooter may target children specifically. It was released on various news outlets the shooter's 3-page letter to police was in broken English and threatened extreme violence. Police announced an electronic transfer of $10m as requested by the shooter was not possible but other options for transfer remain open. No one seriously believes police will actually give the shooter $$, but police are trying to keep a dialogue open with the shooter in an effort to capture this monster.

[mystery-ak]

I just don't believe that money is his only motive...that's what I meant.

[areafiftyone]

The 30 Americans could be 30 Afganistan American or Pakistani Americans or Arab Americans. After John Walker I am sure there might be a few there.

[Cvengr]

"He kept the names of the people who answered the phone"

Do they all use the name, 'Hillary'?

[Cold Heat]

Your points indicate a dedicated terrorist. What else could it be except a sympathiser. The writing appears disjointed etc. The demands have been other things besides money. (political?)

He has not shot any cops! Wonder why?

This is pure and simple terrorism.

I would say that the odds are better than 50% that this guy is foreign born. He has no apparent prejudices. He has no apparent reason.

The thing he is doing is impossible to defend against and was anticipated by analysts at the beginning of the war on terror.

[Peach]

He kept the names of people who answered the phone? Was that in the WP article? I missed that. Hope those people give out "screen" names. I doubt at that point Linda Franklin was involved and really doubt he targeted her specifically. But stranger things have happened.

[wewillnotfail]

Sorry ... missed the second part. We will not fail is taken from the President's post 9/11 speech and references our nation's war against terrorism.

[areafiftyone]

You are probably right. I believe he has something against the cops or Chief Moose personally.

[Cvengr]

Moderator,...please jerk my last comment,...I was a jerk.

[Sacajaweau]

I'd agree that this was never part of his plan. He just doesn't know where to go now...It's another way to keep in the news and obviously he wants to watch the communication personally addresses to HIM.

I'm still inclined to believe there is another person involved. Sooner or later, they're going to start fighting unless one is a bruiser and the other is a tag along wimp.

Sac

[xsmommy]

even so, there is no reason to think he would go that far afield, it would be a direct departure from past practice.

[Peach]

Re AQ stats - go to Drudge - headline in upper left - new book about OBL.

[areafiftyone]

He hasn't shot any cops because he knows they are armed and one might get a shot at him. Most citizens don't walk around with a gun on their hip. If they do carry they conceal it. He knows that he can get them before they can even think about it. It is alot easier to kill a citizen than it is to kill a cop.

[jrhepfer]

Can't be too far away! I bet you could get to my house quicker than I could get to yours though (90 min to DC!)

[slimer]

Sniper leaves 2nd note, wants $10 million wired into a domestic account;

Good mornin. - I'm just wakin up here but I take domestic to mean here in the U.S.

[aristeides]

Washington Post article: The letter listed half a dozen calls that had been "ignored" by operators answering phones at the command center in Rockville, the Montgomery County police station and the FBI. It even named some of the people who had taken his calls.

[xsmommy]

so if it is the Pittsburgh area, that makes it 4 hours from here. sounds more like a copycat.

[William McKinley]

Because of a number of reasons, including the fact that there was more than one gunshot, the calibre was different (actually, the police think it was a bb or pellet gun), the kid was hit in the hip and not a more vital spot, and the police have witnesses who have given them the impression that some kids were in the woods shooting at targets and that it may have merely been an accident that a shot hit the kid.

[Miss Marple]

Over a week ago, President Bush said in an impromptu press conference that it definitely WAS terrorism. What they didn't know was whether it was domestic or foreign. I posted that press briefing, and those were his words.

Since they do not know yet who the perpetrator is, it is very difficult to assign a group as responsible. Once the guy is caught, I have no doubt that the word terrorism will be used.

They are arresting cells in Portland, Maine and Buffalo, New York. Why would you think the government would avoid using the word "terrorism" if it is true?

[Cold Heat]

The police have been warned(just reported) not to release anything from the communications to the press. This goes back to the Taro card.(just heard this on Imus.)The terrorist made that point more than once. He said others would die if they did.

[areafiftyone]

Sorry still don't think it is terrorists. Just a gut feeling this guy is a psycho and not foreign born. He knows the area too well. He probably is not that educated enough to write that well. He has an agenda and thinks he is GOD!! That is enough to convince me his is not AL-QAEDA. Plus the ransom is another thing that convinces me.