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Muslim arrested in Beltway case (John Muhammad)
WorldNetDaily ^ | October 24, 2002 | Art Moore

Posted on 10/24/2002 5:21:19 AM PDT by Michael2001

TACOMA, Wash. – Two men wanted for questioning in the D.C.-area sniper case were arrested early this morning at a rest stop near I-70 in the vicinity of Myersville, Md., about 45 miles northwest of the nation's capital, according to news reports.

John Allen Muhammad, 41, and stepson Lee Malvo, 17, were transported to Montgomery County, where the sniper task force is headquartered.

A rifle was found in Muhammad's car, reported WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C.

Neighbors who several years ago lived near Muhammad in Tacoma, Wash., described him last night as the head of a devout Muslim family who was prone to domestic violence, according to Seattle's KOMO-TV.

Federal sources said Muhammad and Malvo were known to speak sympathetically about the men who attacked the United States on Sept. 11, but the officials believe neither man to be associated with the al-Qaida terrorist network, the Seattle Times reported.

In connection with the sniper case, however, the FBI reportedly is searching "Camp Ground Zero USA" in Marion, Ala., a militant Islamic training camp with possible links to al-Qaida. Last night Fox News reported that FBI sources said "they are not at liberty to comment" and cannot confirm or deny their agents are investigating the camp.

WorldNetDaily reported two days after the D.C.-area shootings began Oct. 2 that FBI profilers believed the case fit no regular category and could find no motive other than terrorism. The shootings, which have caused an economic slowdown in the area, started four days after al-Qaida warned the U.S. that it would strike economic targets, WND reported last Thursday. A former CIA operative told WND in a story published Saturday, that the nature of the killings and Pentagon involvement in the probe support the terrorism theory.

In March 1999, Muhammad abducted his children and took them to the Caribbean after separating from his wife earlier that year, KOMO said. The children, a 12-year-old son and two younger daughters, now reportedly are in protective custody in Maryland.

As the focus of the Maryland-based sniper probe moved to the Pacific Northwest yesterday, task force head Charles Moose announced that Muhammad, also known as John Allen Williams, was being sought for information related to the case.

Moose told reporters last night that it should not be assumed that Muhammad "is involved in any of the shootings we are investigating," but is wanted for federal firearms violations and may have information material to the sniper probe.

Muhammad, described as about 6 feet 1 and 180 pounds, was believed to be traveling with a juvenile and considered "armed and dangerous," Moose said.

The Montgomery County, Md., police chief also gave a message to the sniper.

Moose said "our inability to talk has been a concern for us as well as for you," noting several attempts to establish a connection.

"You have indicated that you wanted us to do and say certain things," Moose said in his message to the sniper. "You asked us to say, 'We have caught the sniper like a duck in a noose.' We understand that hearing us say this is important to you."

The solution, Moose said, "remains to call us and get a private toll free number established," or write to a post office box address.

The police chief's references apparently were related to a note found at the site of Saturday's shooting near Richmond, Va., and another at Tuesday's Montgomery County attack both of which included a demand for $10 million.

Seattle's KOMO radio reports that Muhammad is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War.

A former soldier who says he recognized Muhammad in a photo on TV news last night said he served with Muhammad in the Army.

Randy Lyons, of Bothell, Wash., told KING-TV that he knew Muhammad as an "outstanding soldier" who had a "very pretty wife and kids."

Authorities said they also were searching for Muhammad's stepson, John Lee Malvo, a citizen of Jamaica, according to CNN and Fox News.

Fox said the two men are linked to a blue or burgundy 1990 Chevy Caprice with New Jersey license NDA-21Z, which matched the car in which they were found asleep.

Fox News also reported that warrants related to the D.C. case issued yesterday in Montgomery, Ala.

A telephone call from the sniper alerted investigators to look into a Sept. 21 fatal shooting at a liquor store in Montgomery, according to the Seattle Times.

An official said a piece of paper found at the Alabama shooting scene was traced to Malvo, who then was linked to a Tacoma house where he had been living with Muhammad.

Muhammad was based at nearby Fort Lewis, Wash., in 1994-95 and lived in a Tacoma neighborhood where a backyard search for ballistic material was conducted yesterday, according to Peggy Bellows, an editor for the Tacoma News Tribune.

FBI agents also conducted a search yesterday in Bellingham, Wash., related to two persons of interest in the D.C. sniper case, at least one of whom is "not a U.S. national," according to the mayor of the city in northwestern Washington state.

Agents in Tacoma recovered two shell casings along with a tree stump with bullet holes in the backyard of a fourplex, said KOMO-TV in Seattle.

The material was to be transported by air to Washington, D.C., according to news reports.

Bellingham mayor Mark Asmundson told Seattle's KING-TV that his police department began cooperating yesterday morning with FBI agents interested in two men who were residents of the city, near the Canadian border, in the past year and a half.

One was a student at Bellingham High School and the other was an older man, according to Asmundson.

A KOMO-TV report later confirmed that the student was Malvo.

The two were most recently in Bellingham nine months ago, Asmundson said.

"Being near the border, we've had our share of unusual characters in Bellingham," Asmundson said.

In Tacoma, sources confirmed that the search there was related to the D.C. sniper case, according to KIRO-TV.

Fort Lewis spokesman Lt. Col. Joseph Piek said the FBI had asked for help from the base, KOMO-TV reported.

The backyard search was conducted by consent of the property owner, said FBI spokesperson Melissa Mallon on the scene late yesterday afternoon. Local television news reports said the owner is not a person of interest.

"There is no immediate danger for anybody in this neighborhood," Mallon said. "If there were, we would let people know."

Tacoma mayor Bill Baarsma said in an interview with KING-TV in Seattle that he was called out of a meeting at about 12:30 p.m. yesterday to be met by the FBI.

"It was a day of irony for me, because I was called out of a meeting about how to cope with a terrorist attack," he said.


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: Maryland; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: alfuqra; alqaeda; blackmuslims; blackpanthers; jamaatalfuqra; newblackpanthers
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To: Sabertooth
Too many coming from the Caribe for this to not be a serious issue.
101 posted on 10/24/2002 7:14:24 AM PDT by kinghorse
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To: Illbay
"There is a name for those who condemn an entire religious people based on stereotypes and knee-jerk hatred. Can you guess what it is?"

Uh, . . . . . Muslims?

102 posted on 10/24/2002 7:15:49 AM PDT by Crowcreek
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Fox News Channel continues to sink into the depth of typical media stupidity.

Idiotic self-centered blonde reporter just went on camera saying "If you look behind me you can see the door of the home of one of John Muhammed's ex wife, we'll just call her _____ for now(implying how she is so nobly protect the identity, while broadcasting a picture of her home to a national audience!)

Ever consider that some sympathetic nuts might considering seeking retribution? Didn't they cover a firebombing of a crime witness' house just miles away in Baltimore?

Media bastards.
103 posted on 10/24/2002 7:15:53 AM PDT by Diddle E. Squat
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To: Jonathan
Key words for us to note in the future and to not forget who the real enemy is: "million man march" "Louis Farrakan" "Black Muslim" "registered Democrat" "Islam - Religion of Peace" "Joint interfaith prayer service" ARREST. DEPORT. EXPEL - ALL MUSLIMS FROM AMERICA.

Bump to that!

War on terror will never be won before all muslims are purged from this country!

104 posted on 10/24/2002 7:16:33 AM PDT by Anticommie
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To: Jeff Head
Thanks for the heads up!
105 posted on 10/24/2002 7:26:17 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: YaYa123
Michael12001, You said you are going to boycott everyone named "Muhammad".

When did I say that. I'm not a big fan (and that's a huge understatement) of Muslims in general, regardless of name.

Michael's a good Christian. We like him :)
106 posted on 10/24/2002 7:26:20 AM PDT by Michael2001
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To: Jeff Head
People don't undrerstand that you don't have to be an "official" member of the terror group to be a terrorist for them.

Jeff,from what is known so far,these guys aren't terrorists. Terrorism has a political/religious goal,and the goal of these two seemed to be profit. This makes them nothing more than regular criminals. The fact that they are Muslims means nothing.

I have no doubt that by the time their trial starts they will have morphed into "true believer Muslims",though. That way they can try to claim "political prisoner" status,and gain a little sympathy from the ignorant.

107 posted on 10/24/2002 7:27:59 AM PDT by sneakypete
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To: cyncooper
I find it amazing. If a place like this is called such so casually it seems, why is it in operation at all?
108 posted on 10/24/2002 7:29:24 AM PDT by agrace
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To: All
Is anyone listening to Glen Beck? He is all over this issue.
109 posted on 10/24/2002 7:30:19 AM PDT by Coolidge
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To: sneakypete
I am not so sure on the "just for profit" motive. Let's wait and see. That money could easily have been ear marked for the cause IMHO.

I believe there is a tie ... and I do not believe it is just coincidental or tangential. Just my opinion though.

Here's what I would be saying about this guy ...

"John Muhammad, a long time convert to Islam, a follower of Louis Fara Khan and an individual who vocally approved of 911 was arrested in conjunction with the Beltway Sniper case this morning at a rest stop on I-70 in Maryland."

110 posted on 10/24/2002 7:33:46 AM PDT by Jeff Head
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Comment #111 Removed by Moderator

To: Scorpio
Has it been confirmed that he is a member of the Nation of Islam?

That is what is being reported on WorldNetDaily. Could turn out to be different. But unfortunately, I find it all too credible and don't expect that fact to change.

112 posted on 10/24/2002 7:34:22 AM PDT by ffrancone
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To: Illbay
I have some friends - they were murdered at the WTC.

I have some friends in DC - they have been living in terror for the past 3 weeks.

I have some friends in LA - they were murdered at the airport.

I have some friends flying from Boston - they died in a field in Pennsylvania.

The history of the MUSLIM religion is that it will cause its adherents to kill you if you do not agree with them.

The only reason that your friends haven't killed you yet is that they are not yet strong enough to do so with impunity.

You cannot love America and be a committed Muslim.

There is a name for those that foolishly hope against hope that the Islamofacists will not kill - it is Appeaser.

Sooner or later either they will triumph or we will.
113 posted on 10/24/2002 7:35:49 AM PDT by Jonathan
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To: moron
He doesn't does he. Some scary stuff on FR.
114 posted on 10/24/2002 7:36:14 AM PDT by Austin Willard Wright
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To: js1138
Why were they in Washington State? The climate

John Allen Mohammed was stationed at Fort Lewis which just happens to be in Washington state. When you are in the army, you go where they tell you to go. The kid Malvo was there because his parents were. A kid usually grows up and goes to school in the same state as his parents. Any other questions I can answer for you before you engage your brain today.

115 posted on 10/24/2002 7:36:59 AM PDT by Dave S
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To: Coolidge
Is anyone listening to Glen Beck? He is all over this issue.

Yes I am.

I fear for his life and career. As much as I want to disagree with him, I can't.

116 posted on 10/24/2002 7:37:22 AM PDT by NeoCaveman
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To: Jonathan
"they will triumph or we will"....err...I think you meant "Triumph of the Will," your favorite film.
117 posted on 10/24/2002 7:37:23 AM PDT by Austin Willard Wright
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To: sneakypete
"Jeff,from what is known so far,these guys aren't terrorists." - SP

I disagree, if people were terrorized, then the tango was a terrorist.

On top of that - muslim and osama/atta follower/sympathetic. It is a no brainer to me. - terrorist

118 posted on 10/24/2002 7:37:57 AM PDT by Triple
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To: Jeff Head
Then they need to quickly try, convict and fry these folks ... try and fry, that's a new one.

Amen. I wish we didn't have a Constitutional prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments. I'd like to shoot these punks (that's all that terrorists are once the ideology is stripped bare) in the knees and elbows and make them crawl back to every place they took a shot before Old Sparky gets them.

119 posted on 10/24/2002 7:38:13 AM PDT by steveegg
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To: Kevin Curry
Very telling
120 posted on 10/24/2002 7:39:00 AM PDT by Michael2001
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