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

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

[NELSON111]

Actually, the media is underestimating bloodhounds. There are cases...proven cases...where bloodhounds can follow a scent for miles when people are in a car. There was one case that bloodhounds tracked an abducted girl for miles when she was in a truck. The experts think that the bloodhounds are tracking the skin flakes that fly off of each of us. In the girls case...they linked the scent trail to skin flakes coming out of the air conditioner. So...it is likely that the hounds were following that kind of trail. After all...it would take a great biker about 20 minutes or so to get that far...and by that time...the area was shut down. Unlikely he/they would do that...more likely that he/they were being tracked by the skin flakes. In other cases....he might have taken the shot from the woods and then got into the van.

One thing is certain...he is getting more bold than ever. It's likely he will be caught within the next couple of shots. He is getting too bold and people are looking for white astro vans. I can't believe he is still using it.

[Kip Lange]

I find this important, because if a terrorist cell, or a cult were involved, it would seem more likely that more than one gun is involved, no??

Playing Devil's Advocate here, but wouldn't it make the terrorist get his point across? If there's NO way to link any of the killings, they'd all just be assumed random -- we might not even be talking about hem. The perp(s) certainly have the attention of the entire media, though, don't they? At least this way. :-)

-KL

[lentulusgracchus]

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.

Could you be a little more specific?

[demlosers]

Can any of you guess what the guy said?

"Oh no! There are no indications that it could be related to international terrorism" (What a suprise!)

The reporter should have followed up the question with
'Does that mean the FBI has conclusively ruled-out terrorism as a motive'?

[Q6-God]

My $.02 The white van does not contain the shooter. Imagine if the shooter is working with the driver of the van. Once the shooter takes the shot, the van driver leaves. Everyone looks around for a white van. They see it. Then later on, the real shooter leaves in their 76' Pinto in the opposite direction. Maybe they even have a receipt and a bag of items from where they just came from as a cover, i.e. Michael's or a Home Depot. Any thoughts...

[rintense]

Oh come on now. Everyone here is speculating.

[Dog]

Peach....this has had the feel of terrorism to me since day one..........to many things are happening in the world for this to anything else.

[chriservative]

No, the last victim at the gas station in Fredricksburg was shot in the head as well. Speculation that sniper wanted guaranteed kills after 2 chest shots survived.

[Kip Lange]

A vehicle inside another vehicle? I don't know. The box truck might have a ramp. Sounds like a movie, doesn't it?

TV show or video game, take your pick -- Knight Rider or Spy Hunter, respectively. ;-)

--KL

P.S. We have to stop releasing those Spy Hunter game manuals! :p

[Elenya]

Maybe you should offer them your expertise in this area.....speed things up....

You're talking to the wrong person here. But I assumed it was the job of all those FBI agents crawling out there according to you to be ready for this kind of event...

[Fred Mertz]

You were correct yesterday that the next shooting would be at night, and I was wrong predicting a Tues rush hour shooting.

[DeaconBenjamin]

That's US District Court in Alexandria. Just keep it local--probably Spottsylvania will do best.

[ARCADIA]

Re: Shooter in wooded areas

This is what I think. He sets up in a covered area, and aims at a well-lit area. Then leaves on foot to a vehicle that is not within visual range of the shooting. That way no witnesses ID him or his vehicle. All the commotion is over by the victim.

Of course, the witnesses that saw him in the parking lot could be correct. But, remember "Rashamon" (spelling?), the Japanese where each witness to an event gave a different story.

[Kip Lange]

Why do so many on this board think that the cops are ONLY pursuing this one idea? Methinks that they have teams of investigators that are pursuing all of the different scenarios.

Agreed, wholeheartedly. Hey, is the nick from UCB? Fellow Cal grad there? Not many of us end up conservative. ;-)

--KL

[Dog]

You still might be right Fred....day isn't over yet.

[Chemist_Geek]

And with any luck, it'll be as good a job as the Unabomber sketch. :-(

What, the one which looked like Weird Al Yankovic?

[Sacajaweau]

It occurred within the last few days. I believe newlyweds who were both FBI??/ agents. They were going on a private plane tour or something. In the end, she stayed behind and he went and the plane crashed.

Using the keywords should get you to it.

Sac

[DeaconBenjamin]

Wasn't there a big fight over an Islamic center in Loudoun a few years back. They might have a grudge against the county's residents.

[Garak]

My God, people, you play into all the stereotypes liberals have about you. More likely than not this is NOT a Muslim. Was the Son of Sam a Muslim, too? Is a fanatic Muslim going to go around dropping Tarot cards, and then NOT take credit for the killings?

This kick out the Muslims paranoia is a bizarre - and it's bring out our bad side.