Beltway Sniper Shootings-FR Commentary-Tuesday, Oct. 15

Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences | October 15, 2002 | Fox News, CNN, Press Conferences

[Peach]

To avoid multiple vanity threads regarding any news from press conferences, let's keep a live commentary thread going again today.

Note: This is the graphics-free thread. Graphics can be found under the thread titled "Beltway Sniper Shootings-Graphics Only"

[xsmommy]

in the suburban DC area? the odds are better than average that you are going to hit someone working for the government, and she just happened to be FBI. i still think it was random.

[jacquej]

We have been told that it is a .223, but have we been told it is the same firearm? Do we now believe everything that we are told?

Just wondering.

[eno_]

I think it is random, but the location was chosen in order to raise the odds of hitting someone like this. Fairly obvious.

[angkor]

I agree that the "Michael's" speculations are silly

Fox News was all over that last night, but I agree it is ridiculous. They might as well call them the "Safeway Shooters" or the "Giant Food Shooters" or the "Shell Shooters". These are largely popular shopping malls with a variety of well-known stores, Michael's is simply one of those.

I was horrified that the only newsie who was sensible about this last night - and whom I agreed with - was Greta van Sustern.

[rintense]

Ok, *if* she was working on the case, then it means there is a HUGE leak in the FBI, and a connection between the feds and the sniper.

[Miss Marple]

That might explain why the attempt in a much busier setting.

On the other hand, this would involve tailing her, monitoring her house, and/or intercepting a phone call to know that she was going to Home Depot.

Could just be a weird coincidence.

[WorldWatcher1]

Now THIS ONE doesn't seem to be totally random now, does it? What are the odds???

Probably pretty good considering this is DC and the FBI employs a lot of people and that it took 9 tries.

[Sacajaweau]

Wasn't that guy in the plane crash also an FBI analyist?? The honeymoon couple where he went on the plane and she stayed behind.

Many had a "gut feeling" on that one.

Sac

[xsmommy]

i agree. if this is not Al-queda, they are certainly as able as anyone else, to see how we are responding to this form of terror. It very well could be that they will implement something similar if they are not responsible for this.

[areafiftyone]

IMHO the police are doing a lousy job with this investigation. They are so worried about leaks and looking like they are lousing up that they are looking like incompetants. Why don't they just ask for some DAM HELP FROM A BIG CITY!!! I have been discussing this with my friends and they can't believe that they haven't asked for more help from larger crime units in the big cities like Dallas, LA or New York City. They look so helpless that everytime a news conference is on all they can say is "I can't answer that question right now" "That is still under investigation". They haven't a clue and it shows.

[GirlShortstop]

talked of a possible second car suddenly backing up and racing from the scene. It was described as a dark, late-model Chevrolet or Chrysler.  from last night...

"Is this slimeball gonna get away again?
Here's my theory. The perp is not in a white/cream van at all. He is waiting for this type of vehicle to arrive at the location and then doing the shooting. The perp can then exit the area (or not) at their leisure. If/when the van gets pulled over, it is clean.

I can't believe an individual can escape twice without *some help*...this theory above supports cell activity.

[berkeleybeej]

I think it was just random, but - I had been thinking earlier that the shooter had a choice last night - the husband or the wife and he chose the woman.

[ET(end tyranny)]

Breaking+++ Woman killed last night was FBI AGENT!!!

And James Buchanan (2nd victim?) was the son of a retired Montgomery Police Officer.

Think that some of the victims are random, BUT that some of the victims could very well be 'targeted' assassinations, covered up by shear volume. jmo

[twigs]

I'm riding the Metro to work.

I've also been worried that more people will do this, thus making the public transportation systems a more attractive target for terrorism. Think about it. I know you all are in a bad situation. I'm several hours away and also get concerned. However, I think we have to go about our lives b/c this person(s) changes MO's to accommodate the changes we make. Be careful, but live your life!

[browardchad]

A point of interest about the abandoned "box truck:" Fox seems to be the only media outlet mentioning it this AM, and even then it's deep into the story on their site. Supposedly they had an "exclusive" on finding the truck, but it hasn't been picked up by the NYT or WP that I've noticed. LE doesn't have a comment on the truck, of course.

[twigs]

rules out the former Marine who was being wuestioned yesterday

Not if there's different teams doing the shooting.

[ladyjane]

I still can not see a clear link to the Michael's Craft stores.

I think you are probably right. However, Michael is the Archangel who faught the devil. A psycho could be caught up in a good vs. evil scenario - with the oil companies part of the axis of evil. If it is a nut doing this, anything's possible.

[Sender]

Possibly dogs would hit on the van if a recently-fired rifle had been in there, I'm not sure. I haven't seen many cops on TV with dogs though.

[angkor]

What are the odds???

The odds that you will encounter a government employee in Seven Corners are stupendously high.

[Elenya]

Ok, *if* she was working on the case,

That's what I automatically assumed. But I jumped to conclusions. Will have to wait to know for sure...if we ever find out. But it would be in line with the suspicion I have this morning that they might be getting inside info.