President's bodyguards join hunt for sniper

London Times ^ | October 09, 2002 | Tim Reid

[Grampa Dave]

President's bodyguards join hunt for sniper

From Tim Reid in Washington

THE hunt for a sniper whose killing spree has been terrifying Washington was stepped up yesterday, with members of the Secret Service who normally protect the President and foreign embassies sent to guard schools and highways. After the roving marksman switched his sights from adults to a 13-year-old boy, who became his eighth victim when he was shot outside his school on Monday, the Washington region awoke yesterday traumatised by fear, increasing the pressure on the police and FBI to make an arrest.

Yesterday, a $160,000 (£102,000) reward was offered for information leading to a conviction, as President Bush described the killings as cowardly and senseless.

All school sports were cancelled, with tens of thousands of pupils locked inside school buildings, having been delivered by parents and escorted inside by security guards. Shops were largely empty and helicopter patrols were increased across the region.

Many people said that the random nature of the attacks had left the American capital more anxious than after last year’s September 11 strikes on the Pentagon and subsequent anthrax mail deaths.

“September 11 opened our eyes to let us know that we’re vulnerable to a terrorist attack, but this random shooting, you can’t describe it,” Donzell Cockrell, a Washington postman, said. “Here, we can’t say what this guy’s purpose is.”

Vast numbers of people in areas where the gunman has struck are now reluctant to leave their homes. Trips to petrol stations are being postponed, thousands are shopping for groceries after dark and teachers at some schools have masked ground-floor windows with paper.

The FBI confirmed last night that its federal agents had greatly increased their role in the manhunt. Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose, in whose area six of the attacks have taken place, said that police had received 1,250 credible leads from 6,025 calls and that a police officer had been stationed at every school in Montgomery and Prince George’s County. What is most unsettling for investigators, who have called on psychological profilers, is that the sniper, who uses a .223 calibre rifle, does not fit any of the usual categories of multiple killers. While many have a grudge to settle and pick a particular group, often leaving clues because they want to get caught, this killer appears to be cool and cautious. He is the rarest form of spree killer: one who does it for fun.

The murderous spree began last Wednesday evening, when a 55-year-old man was killed in Montgomery County. Four people, aged 25 to 54 and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, were killed on Thursday morning in Montgomery.That night, a 72-year-old man was shot closer to central Washington and a 43-year-old woman was wounded near Fredericksburg, 80 miles south in Virginia, on Friday afternoon.

The killer did leave one clue near Monday’s shooting. Police found a bullet casing in woodland about 300ft from the school, from where they believe the sniper fired. The boy, who had parts of his stomach, pancreas and spleen removed, was in a critical but stable condition last night.

[Grampa Dave]

This is interesting that the Secret Service would be called in for this.

Has there been anything in our left wing fishwraps about this?

[Grampa Dave]

FYI

You guys ever remember the Secret Service guys getting called out on a so called community crime?

[lainde]

This makes no sense...I don't like this at all. WHAT is the rationale?????

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

THE hunt for a sniper whose killing spree has been terrifying Washington was stepped up yesterday, with members of the Secret Service who normally protect the President and foreign embassies sent to guard schools and highways.

By the Presidents orders I"M SURE!!!

This President is decent and absolutely amazing.

God Bless him.. he is facing the hardest time in our Nations history. Yet he has love and compassion for our nations children who are being terrorized. President Bush is an amazing man. Wow..

[RandyRep]

I have three guesses on how and why the SS is involved...

One is that some of them live in this specific area and have kids and are concerned. Moonlighting, as it were.

The second is the more logical one - the SS has tremendous knowledge about the art of sniping - they have to protect POTUS and others. I think they are helping with the psych profile and the forensics and the observation.

Based on what's been said to date about the profiling , I would guess they have narrowed the sniper's home location to a 5 to 10 square mile area. The SS knows how to observe from high places, and may be deployed in the target area to try to see the vehicle before it reaches its destination.

Too many guesses...

[ALS]

bingo

[Fabozz]

"This makes no sense...I don't like this at all. WHAT is the rationale?"

The Secret Service receives very extensive training in anti-sniper tactics, as one might expect. Since they're experts in the subject, and are right there in the neighborhood, why shouldn't the President offer their help to local law enforcement?

[Grampa Dave]

I am afraid that the politically correct DC area police chiefs are better off running Divesity Quilting parties than handling this very bad situation.

[Grampa Dave]

Ooops that should have been Diversity Quilting Parties. I have the remains of a summer cold and the old cns is proof reading very well.

[Grampa Dave]

Your reply makes a lot of sense.

[DoughtyOne]

Let's remember where this is taking place and realize that there are a good many VIPs and their family members in the area. All this person has to do is morph their tactics just a bit and we're going to be scooping up a Senator, Congressman or their family members out of the dirt.

This person is a top priority until he/she/they are apprehended.

[Grampa Dave]

If this president does something for the children, I believe him.

[FRMAG]

The powers and amndate if the SS are pretty broad. In this case I'd say they are involved because an event of this magnitude can have an impact on their perceived view of the safety of the Prersident.

[Grampa Dave]

I had a friend who was Secret Service and their powers and mandates to protect the President were very broad as people found when the president visit their city/town!

[keepvotin]

Perhaps there is a concern that this maniac is part of a terrorist cell, with plans on killing government officials. That would be a good reason to send the president's body guards to find him. A pre-emptive strike kind of approach.

[Grampa Dave]

Good evening John.

You might be interested in this story re the sniper in the DC area.

[spokeshave]

I can just imagine clintoon or albore doing this /sarcasm off.

The sniper hid behind a tree,,,check out albore the wood for gunpowder marks

[Grampa Dave]

There are a lot of us with the concern you mentioned in your reply!

The Secret Service will act pre emptively to protect the president!

[Squantos]

Yep....BTW youngster !!! What in the heck are you doing up this late ?;o) Better be a cold beer involved in the answer.........

USSS Tech services solves a whole lot of crimes. This sniper is too close to their protectee to ignore. Beside it'll hopefully catch the turd before s/he can kill again. Free training for the counter sniper teams ect ect.

Stay Safe !

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm actually fighting a late summer cold, and My DayQuil has me wired.

Hopefully one of these Secret Service guys/gals will nail this creep tomorrow and bag his helper/s if he/she has any helpers.

The three of you have been great with your expertise on these threads about the sniper/s.

[Lion's Cub]

I think this is the most telling aspect that marks this as suspected terrorism.

I also think there's a good chance that the sniper is some way connected to the child.

I don't think it's an accident that the victim was thirteen. Thirteen is the age of accountability in Christianity and for the bar mitzvah in Judaism. I think the sniper used a thirteen year old so he could rationalize that he was shooting an adult instead of a child.

I also suspect that to know this boy was thirteen, he had to have some passing knowledge of the victim's family. He may even have chosen him because he knew the kid would be getting there early when he'd have a pretty clear shot.

I'm betting the sniper is black muslim and probably connected to al Fuqra.

[CyberAnt]

With the close location of the WH, I am not at all surprised. In fact, I would have thought they would have already been involved.

This type of criminal, the sniper, is the most dangerous to the President; especially somebody with a high powered rifle. The SS's training will be very helpful for this type of investigation.

[JohnHuang2]

Morning, my friend. Thanks for the ping.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for your reply.

Parts of your reply are those gnawing things that many of us have had since the sniping began:

I think this is the most telling aspect that marks this as suspected terrorism.

That was the first thought that entered my mind when I heard about this.

Second you posted, I'm betting the sniper is black muslim and probably connected to al Fuqra.

Those of us who know the relationship fo the Black Muslims to the al Fuqra thugs and on to al Qaeda will not be surprised if what you posted here is the reality.

[Grampa Dave]

It is still evening out here on the West Coast!:)

This is to me is some real breaking news!

Interesting that we have to go to London to get the information.

[Eva]

I guess the secret service guys will have to suffice for homeland security, since Tommy boy has been holding up the security bill in his Democrat lockbox.

[Mo1]

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[Grampa Dave]

A few of the repliers agree with you that this sniper/s represents a real danger to our president.

[~Kim4VRWC's~]

With thanks to " ET(end tyranny) " for help in compiling these.. I'm posting brigette's contribution unbeknownst to her. Hope she doesn't mind!

---

Report: Sniper Left Tarot Card, Message for Police at Last Shooting>
Solve the Sniper Case and get $250,000 (Satellite Map to help you out)
The DC Sniper Nest: None Dare Call it Terrorism
Rush's fill-in says Sniper(s) is(are) Hispanic or similar...
13 Year Old Boy Shot Outside Bowie, Md. Middle School, Not Known if Sniper Related
This Killer Doesn't Fit the Expected Profile
Maryland Sniper Shootings Update Thread
Schoolboy targeted by sniper
Math Used in Hunt for Md. Sniper
Police Won't Confirm Missing Man Has Shooting Connections (Have YOU seen this man?)
Breaking- MD/DC Spree Killer Lookout Update
"Profilers: Montgomery County Shooters are Likely From Area"
Fox Cable News is reporting another shooting in D.C. area
Ashleigh Banfield, Feminist Icon: "Couldn't DC Sniper Be A Woman?"
Sniper kills for the thrill: 8th attack leaves teen near death
Police call in reinforcements in U.S. sniper hunt
Boy, 13, Wounded in Eighth Attack Linked to Sniper
CSGV Statement on Sniper Shootings in DC Metropolitan Area
In the Age of Terror, a Sniper Brings Danger Close to Home Again
Md. Shooting Linked to Sniper Spree
PROFILE HINTS WHERE MD. SNIPER WILL STRIKE NEXT
D.C. on Alert As Sniper Roams Free
Sixth death linked to sniper - Police want to talk to N.C. ex-resident [Robert Gene Baker - photo]
Another DC-area sniper-style shooting
Police Confirm shooting at Michael's
FBI: Maryland shootings fit no category
MD shooting update: Shell found in VA is a .223 caliber, shooting in DC now linked too
Two Hispanics Sought In DC Area Killings
Evidence links Monday's shooting to Spree
The DC Sniper Nest: None Dare call it Terrorism
Media Police Fudge Gun Facts in Sniper Shootings
White racist (Robert Gene Baker III) hunted after sniper attacks in Maryland

---

THE TIMELINE:

-- 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2: Windows shot at Maryland craft store. No one hurt.

-- 6:04 p.m. Wednesday: James D. Martin, 55, of Silver Spring, Md., killed in Maryland grocery store parking lot.

-- 7:41 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3: James L. "Sonny" Buchanan, 39, of Arlington, Va., killed while cutting grass at Maryland auto dealership.

-- 8:12 a.m. Thursday: Taxi driver Prem Kumar Walekar, 54, of Olney, Md., killed at Maryland gas station.

-- 8:37 a.m. Thursday: Sarah Ramos, 34, of Silver Spring, Md., killed outside Maryland post office.

-- 9:58 a.m. Thursday: Lori Ann Lewis-Rivera, 25, of Silver Spring, Md., killed as she vacuumed her van at Maryland gas station.

-- 9:15 p.m. Thursday: Pascal Charlot, 72, of Washington, D.C, killed while standing on a street in the nation's capital.

-- 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4: 43-year-old woman wounded in craft store parking lot in Fredericksburg, Va.

-- 8:09 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7: 13-year-old boy wounded as he is dropped off at Bowie, Md., school.

152 posted on 10/9/02 1:25 AM Central by brigette

[Grampa Dave]

Tommy could care less what happens to America as long as he can remain the Senate Majority leader. We have to get this message out on a regular basis.

If you protect/sheild the terrorists with your political power, you are a terrorist!

[Mo1]

I don't ever recall this SS being involved is a case like this

[BulletBrasDotNet]

Fairly cogent argument. Did you pass this on to the FBI? If not, Do it!

[Grampa Dave]

Is this why the Secret Service was called in?:)

[Squantos]

Possibilities are way too endless for getting a direct hit on whats making this trash tick. I just get medevil and try and think how I'd do it if I were so inclined and rabid assed crazy....er

Stay Safe Dave ole buddy !!

[Robert_Paulson2]

islam... strikes again? who knows?

Of course Mr. Daschle does not believe the president needs the authority to move personnel to fit the needs of assymetric counter terrorism warfare or operations....

They should have authorized unfettered homeland defense... six months ago. And if this turns out to be islamikazis... the innocent blood will be at least in part, on the hands of those, who have sought to TIE our president's hands for political gain.

will we hold the democrats responsible?

[lainde]

I guess I get it. I thought it was some sneaky VLWC not to protect our president! Guess I'm getting a touch paranoid...

[Robert_Paulson2]

you got that right. diversity exercises... for the marion berry shock troops...

[Robert_Paulson2]

Fuqra

ahem... is that pronounced... exactly as it looks? or is it fookra? just curious, mind in the gutter question.

[Robert_Paulson2]

yeah... the little b#st#rd-weasle is really dragging his commie butt on getting that life and death legislation through. Democrat delays kill children and old people. We shoulda had the homeland security program in operation full speed six months ago... not six weeks from now.

God I am sick of Tommy D... and the circus of clowns parade in the senate. They care NOTHING for the safety of Americans. NOTHING. By their delays and lies about our president and abandonment of our national security, once again they prove themselves to be TRAITORS... and terrorist enablers.

and jeffords was the one who put them in the place where their treachery has now killed even more americans.

[c-b 1]

I can just imagine clintoon or albore doing this

Realistically, clintoon, or albore would be drooling at an opportunity like this to disarm us all, they wouldn't be able to think of anything but getting in front of a tv camera.

[OldFriend]

Hopefully this will give the President a chance to be involved in choosing his next set of secret service agents.

[OldFriend]

Can't imagine a black muslim shooting a black child.

Luckily for that child, his aunt is a nurse in the trauma center where the boy was airlifted to for care. She got him initial help and probably saved his life.

Heard one of the talking heads saying that a lot of hotshots from the media live in the community where the first murders took place.

[leadhead]

with members of the Secret Service who normally protect the President and foreign embassies sent to guard schools and highways

Reid again demonstrates he doesn't know soft s**t from apple butter. The UNIFORMED Secret Service is helping out. They do not guard the President. They handle the other Executive Branch guard duties from embassies, Cabinet members, Visitors, etc.Just another of the twenty or so guard/police units that operate in DC.

[stlnative]

Investigators puzzle over sniper's profile

[Lion's Cub]

Fairly cogent argument. Did you pass this on to the FBI? If not, Do it!

If they didn't think of it long before I did, I wouldn't be doing them a service--I'd just be getting them killed :)

In all seriousness, as many heads as they've got working on this, I'm sure somebody's already brought it up.

As someone else pointed out, this is directly affecting their own children, too--so I have every confidence that the guys who know what they are doing will push all the butt they need to in order to solve this thing.

[.30Carbine]

“September 11 opened our eyes to let us know that we’re vulnerable to a terrorist attack, but this random shooting, you can’t describe it,” Donzell Cockrell, a Washington postman, said. “Here, we can’t say what this guy’s purpose is.”

That local mailman has every reason to fear for his life. Mailmen are not allowed to carry handguns for self-defense; only pepper spray, which, last I checked, has a range of approximately 2-3 feet. This infuriates me.

I haven't seen anyone post information on laws that restrict our God-given right to self-defense in the D.C. and Maryland areas, so I looked them up:

LINK: Carrying a handgun in the District is prohibited. All firearms are to be kept at one's home or place of business.

LINK:Application for a permit to carry a handgun [in Maryland] is made to the Secretary of State Police....The Secretary may in his discretion add restrictions to the permit limiting the location, circumstances or time at which the handgun may be carried.

I respectfully submit that without these encroachments upon our God-given right to defend ourselves, our families, and our neighbors, someone could have taken this murdering SOB down by now. And the mailman is in a prime position to accomplish that task - he or she is on the street and familiar enough with his or her delivery neighborhood to be aware of strangers and strange vehicles.

We have security guards at the Federal Building in Montpelier since the OKC bombing. Only after September 11, 2001 was *one* of them *allowed* to be armed. It is positively ridiculous, IMO.

[Peach]

Your thoughts about why the President's bodyguards would enter the hunt for the sniper sound right. Good post.

[SauronOfMordor]

I don't think it's an accident that the victim was thirteen. Thirteen is the age of accountability in Christianity and for the bar mitzvah in Judaism. I think the sniper used a thirteen year old so he could rationalize that he was shooting an adult instead of a child.

Alternately, it could just be that at 100-200 yards, it's hard to tell the difference between a 13-year-old and an adult

[.30Carbine]

Check this Strange New Twist out.

[harpseal]

This is a first.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown