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.

[hispanarepublicana]

most rational folks are going to now realize this sniper has nothing to do with the ME terrorists. The terrorists don't write long, rambling letters, and there is no indication there is anything political in the content. The terrorists don't go around declaring they ARE God, they call God Allah, etc.

In another running sniper thread yesterday, a FReeper whose sister is an investigator on the task force said he couldn't provide details, but that this is most definately NOT ME terrorism.

[katnip]

Wouldn't the LE be videotaping each crime scene for on-lookers so that they can compare faces?

One would hope so..

[stlnative]

Yeah Nachman was talking about this yesterday, something like he is a voyeur (thats the word they called it), except he likes hanging around the crime scenes, like a arsonist does after he starts a fire. I also have thought he hangs around afterwards.

[bvw]

Misdirection -- loook at the resources he has got now chasing their tails.

[aristeides]

It was reported that she had *not* been involved in working the sniper case.

And if she had been involved, don't you think that's exactly what they would tell us?

[stlnative]

Excellent Post!

[yukong]

Nah, I believe, and have from early on, that those two poor dumb saps just were victims of really bad luck. Nothing more. Poor timing and poor luck. But boy, wouldn't you like to know what they were thinking when they pulled up to that phone and all of a sudden, what probably looked like the invasion of D-Day decended upon them. I would guess, they had to get those poor guys some new shorts. They were possibly thinking that "hey, those reports of the US cracking down on illegal immigration are true"... or something like that.

[Chemist_Geek]

Why do you think "they" would withold this information? What possible motive could there be?

Well, it would tend to make the politicians look bad if they were ineffective in protecting the citizenry from terrorist attacks...

[bvw]

Sorry, damsel -- until sniper caught alive, we just don't know, and afterwards, even then ... who knows?

[berkeleybeej]

into oblivian, into a cold hard death in the bay below

OT - A very nice piece of prose, but the car ended up smashed into the section that had collapsed onto the lower deck.

[mondonico]

Definitely extra prayers for valleygirl and her family - sounds like they have some information that is terribly upsetting to them -

Sounds like they have some information that would be terribly upsetting to US as well.

[harpseal]

See my 294.

Stay well - stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[bvw]

Thanks ... the cold hard death stands, I strike the bay part.

[aristeides]

They won't up the reward. It is maxed out at $500.000. Additional monies collected go towards the victims families IIRC.

That's what Montgomery County has done, possibly at the urging of the feds. But even if Montgomery Co. cannot be prevailed upon to change its mind, there's nothing stopping other jurisdictions (and organizations) from offering an additional reward.

[meowmeow]

Sounds like they have some information that would be terribly upsetting to US as well.

Well on that happy note, I think I will go running. Just another sunny day on the Beltway!

[ET(end tyranny)]

But even if Montgomery Co. cannot be prevailed upon to change its mind, there's nothing stopping other jurisdictions (and organizations) from offering an additional reward.

Very true.

[bvw]

Mohammed Atta ... met with Iraqis in Prague. Atta is also used as a term for god. Diogenes has been posting a wonderful thread for many many days since 9/11 -- in those threads he often as pictures of Saddam .. in those Saddam portraits there are consistent motifs -- one is Saddam waving a hunting rifle.

Now we know why.

[mhking]

Glendenning on FNC: "We will use National Guard as backup if needed."

[OReilly]

I would guess, they had to get those poor guys some new shorts.

Accurate guess... I think. I like to imagine what they might have said to a family member that asked them, "How fast did this happen"? "Well Pedro, about about 1.5 pantalunes full."

[BuckeyeForever]

You know, Yaelle, I think you may be on to something. I didn't know the guy was asking for a DOMESTIC bank transfer. What I don't understand is how anyone would think they can get away with this, unless the money is going to some place overseas that cannot be reached from here. If the killer has money electronically transferred to ANY bank in the U.S., especially the large sum apparently involved, wouldn't that stick out like a sore thumb to a bank receiving the transfer?
That makes me wonder if this guy is really dumber than I think. He's a good marksman, and he is careful to pick easy prey out in the open, and he shoots only when no one is looking and he can get away. You don't have to be a genius to fit those requirements, and you can still be naive enough to think you can deposit millions of dollars in a bank account somewhere without anyone noticing.
Your last point is the most intriguing. I will be the last person to second-guess the LE tactics so far. But you may be right that LE will eventually have to stop pandering to the guy and snub him. I am sure that a lot of what is being done now to try to communicate with him is aimed at trying to trace his calls or trick him into revealing information disclosing his whereabouts. But if the police basically told him to get lost, what would this guy do? If he felt the police were denying recognition of his power and control, he might go into a rage and become more aggressive. In a weird way, that might be the only thing that fleshes him out into the open where he slips up and gets spotted. As you point out, there would be victims, but it could be, in the long run, it would actually save lives. This guy is obviously an egomaniac. Maybe pi**ing him off will make him take one chance too many as he desperately tries to get more attention.