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.

[Elenya]

Same her. Hubby threatened to FReepmail me today. :o(

[Freedom2specul8]

Did you guys hear about this? Found it while looking for new threads.

(Pittsburgh)
Attack wounds 9-year-old at football practice

A 9-year-old boy who was practicing with his youth football team was shot in the hip this evening by someone who fired from a wooded area at McKinley Park in Beltzhoover....

From a later article: The shooting prompted immediate fears that a sniper might have been responsible. McNeilly was careful to say that police could not rule out any possibility.

[Peach]

You make many good points - I'm glad the owner of this site has kept the loose lips sink ships in red in front of us when we reply to these posts. And I'm doubly glad that parents are keeping important security information from the press. The press are vultures and I guess I forget they log onto this site.

[Elenya]

Same her= same here

[aeronca]

It sounds like the media is getting out of hand--after all--fear sells. I also question whether Chief Moose should be reading the gunmans demands in front of camera's: what if this is a foreign terror group and those messages are codes to the cells?
The news is going to be a blitz of rehashing and a pundit festival today. I'm going to turn it off and only check ocassionally. I don't like the words used by the media such as "A City GRIPPED in FEAR" etc....it's exactly what this murderous maniac wants to hear.

[TexKat]

Good morning everyone.

Just returned from taking my daughter to school and its already over 3oo pings on this thread. Its starting out as a peaceful day looks like, hope it stays that way.

[ET(end tyranny)]

And the note also said "anywhere". He could completely take them by surprise and hit another state at this point.

That's true. And since I doubt that LE is going to actually transfer money to the shooter, I have to wonder at the silence thus far today. Is the shooter on the road again?

Went south last time, perhaps north this time?

[Peach]

Also, leaves are falling and may give him less cover.

[Quilla]

Good morning all! I must give y'all credit - this thread has covered several different scenerios and theories in light of new evidence that has developed overnite. Good work.

I must admit, I was leaning toward the terrorist angle up until the last few days. Now the killer is sounding more like a local nut case. One thing that keeps nagging me though are reports that Al Queda cells are having a hard time getting funding after the crackdown since 9/11. Hmmm.

[Deguello]

Bump.

[stlnative]

Tell me how this sniper can call into this special 1-800 number that HE had the police set up for him without his calls coming into it being traced? Does he really think they don't have a trace on the 1-800 line? - How would this work for him? Would he have throw away cellphones he would use and dump after each call he makes to the 1-800 from different locations so that he could not be found?

[libertysdaughter]

Sorry for butting in to a private answer...but where are the comments, or what did they imply? Thanks.

How does one search for a particular poster? Is that still possible?

[yukong]

Glenn Beck just reported that President Bush has decided to drop all sanctions against Iraq, and has invited Saddam Hussain to American, and DC specifically for tours of the areas gas stations and parking lots. Specifically Shell stations and Home Depot/Ponderosa Restaurant parking lots. Sounds like a good plan to me.

[PA Engineer]

brigette

This was what I was thinking.

meowmeow

Thanks. I lived in Gaithersburg in the late 80s (for two years) and did not recall when the first killing frost took place.

[cynicalman]

I'm beginning to lean away from the terrorist theory

Im not sure if anyone else pointed this out. The threat to the children was, according to Moose, in the note in the form of a post script. If P.S. was in the note we are dealing with a home grown nut.

[Elenya]

Its starting out as a peaceful day looks like, hope it stays that way.

Morning TexKat. I think you better read the thread. It doesn't look like it'll stay that way. The perps asked police to prepare 20 body bags if I understand correctly. :o(

[MasonGal]

Oh well - everyone- I must log off for a while...things to do...people to see... - you know, everyday life--LOL

Anyhow I'll be back here later on today.

Let's pray that the day remains quiet.

[freeperfromnj]

And since I doubt that LE is going to actually transfer money to the shooter

That would mean another shooting is inevitable. This is such an eerie feeling - waiting for the next shoe to drop every day for almost 3 weeks now.

[yukong]

Whoa, Whoa, Masongal, you aren't allowed a real life. Your life is here on FR. Don't go cheating on us. I feel betrayed. Out running around on us like that.

[Elenya]

I have to wonder at the silence thus far today. Is the shooter on the road again?

Good point.