Police suppress terrorism angle

WorldNetDaily ^ | October, 16, 2002 | Paul Sperry

[scripter]

WASHINGTON – Several witnesses to the Beltway sniper shootings over the past two weeks have described suspects resembling Middle-Eastern men, but authorities have played down the Islamic terrorism angle to avoid mass "panic" in the area, an ATF official told WorldNetDaily.

"That angle is actually being looked at, and the FBI has the lead on it," said the official, who is working with the sniper-murders task force based in Maryland's Montgomery County, where the first five shootings took place.

"None of this has been overlooked. There's an awful lot that they're not allowing out," he said. "But the issue really is, as it was with the nuclear (terrorism) stuff, that they do not want public panic."

The Bush administration fears parents might pull their children from schools if police speculate about a terrorist connection, he says. And federal employees might skip work, effectively shutting down the government.

Also, tourists would likely cancel travel plans, dealing another blow to the area's already soft economy, says the official, who wished to go unnamed.

That said, the task force won't likely release a composite sketch of suspects – alternately described by witnesses, law-enforcement lookouts and police-scanner chatter as "Hispanic," "Middle-Eastern," "olive-skinned" and "dark-skinned" – until all other suspects are ruled out.

Two white males apprehended separately in the manhunt, based on tips, have been questioned and released. While they were in custody or under watch, the shootings continued. Police say the men, both from Maryland, are not suspects.

Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose, who is leading the multi-jurisdictional investigation, Tuesday said the task force has at least a "partial" description of suspects who he suggested are minorities.

But he elected not to release the information, explaining it might "paint some group."

Since Oct. 2, the sniper or snipers have cut down 11 people in Washington and five surrounding counties with single shots to the head or torso. Nine have died. All were shot with a rifle or rifles that chamber a .223 round, such as an AR-15 or hunting rifle.

Prince Georges Police Department Detective Paula Pascarella, who is part of the task force, told WorldNetDaily on Friday that authorities are investigating the possibility of teams of snipers using more than one .223-caliber rifle and traveling in more than one white vehicle.

Moose told reporters at Tuesday's press conference that there are "numerous vehicles they could be using."

The task force has released composite graphics of a white box truck witnesses described leaving the scene of one or more of the Maryland shootings. On Tuesday, it released composite graphics of two models of white cargo vans with roof racks that witnesses reported seeing fleeing the last two shootings in Virginia.

Federal authorities interviewed by WorldNetDaily say the sniper shootings are more sophisticated than first thought, and have the earmarks of an al-Qaida operation.

• For one, the shootings are unbelievably brazen, like the Sept. 11 attacks. Eyewitnesses in both the Home Depot shooting in Falls Church, Va., and Exxon station shooting in Fredericksburg, Va., told authorities they saw a sniper taking aim and shooting from outside the reported getaway van, WorldNetDaily has learned.

• The snipers, like the Sept. 11 hijackers, seem highly disciplined and under control. They've stayed away from the District of Columbia, where security is tight and Potomac bridges make escape risky. They take one shot, aiming at the head or heart, and flee the scene. A man shot at a Manassas, Va., Sunoco station, for example, was felled by a bullet that entered the upper left part of his back. They appear to have pre-selected their targets to spread the greatest fear in the nation's capital. Victims range in age (13 to 72), race and sex. Message: No one is safe – not even under a covered parking lot amid other shoppers, as they proved in the Home Depot assault.

• They strike at day and at night – but not on weekends, ostensibly to breed panic among workers commuting into Washington Monday through Friday from the five bedroom communities where they've hit. It's as if the snipers are "on a mission to shut down" the nation's capital, observed one law-enforcement official. And it may be working: Many federal employees, including some at the Pentagon, have requested they be allowed to telecommute to work part of the week until the shootings stop, WorldNetDaily has learned.

• By using common white delivery trucks and/or vans, snipers have spread law enforcement thin. Dragnets that have shut down major arteries in and out of the capital have proved fruitless. Some 200 detectives in the Washington area are working around the clock on the case. The FBI Terrorism Task Force has assigned agents. So have Maryland and Virginia state police. The Secret Service also is helping with the investigation, as WorldNetDaily first reported Oct 4. Next: The Pentagon, which is expected to help with aerial surveillance.

• Snipers have managed to terrify America's capital with just 11 strategic shots. Homecoming football games and SAT tests have been canceled. Drivers are afraid to pump gas. Shoppers brave enough to go out walk briskly across parking lots in zig-zag patterns. Schools are in indefinite "lock-down," meaning kids can't go outside for recess until the snipers are caught.

• The shootings took place alongside a resurgence in al-Qaida terrorism. Successful smaller-scale attacks against Americans and other Westerners in Yemen, Kuwait and Indonesia were apparently praised in a letter penned by Osama bin Laden himself, who appears to have reemerged defiantly from the shadows.

"These shootings are in line with cheap, low-level terrorism designed to disrupt commerce and law enforcement, and to lower morale," the ATF official summed up.

Al-Qaida training videos recovered by U.S. forces in Afghanistan demonstrate small-scale attacks such as drive-by shootings and assassinations, as WorldNetDaily first reported. The al-Qaida cell recently busted in Oregon was uncovered after local police spotted operatives shooting targets with assault rifles.

Other developments:

• Surveillance-and-detection teams in unmarked cars have been deployed to watch for snipers at locations and intersections around Washington that have been profiled as possible targets.

• Authorities now suspect the so-called tarot card left near a Maryland school-shooting scene is more a "red herring" than a break in the case. Police still have not made the document public.

• They also view the Michaels crafts store connection as nothing more than a coincidence. Michaels stores are located in shopping centers, such as the Seven Corners Shopping Center in Falls Church, where the Home Depot is also located. The snipers are targeting high-traffic areas such as shopping centers.

• The task force did not get a good license plate number for the sniper van used in the Home Depot attack. "We have a lot of numbers," said the ATF official. "That's the problem."

• FBI agents are upset Moose is still running the investigation, and think the FBI should take over.

  "There have been more shootings outside Montgomery County than inside his jurisdiction," said an FBI veteran. "Yet he's still in charge."

  He called Moose's performance so far "disquieting."

• Authorities aren't sure anymore that the snipers are escaping shooting scenes on highways. They may be stationed locally and then draw back to nearby hideouts, which may explain how they've managed to slip dragnets.

• It's unlikely the administration will authorize National Guardsmen to help with roadblocks and other aspects of the investigation, because that would "tip the hand" that it's terrorism and spook citizens, the ATF official confided.

[seeker41]

Everybody I know already thinks it's terrorist, the government way underestimates its citizens. Idiots!

[per loin]

But he elected not to release the information, explaining it might "paint some group."

And while this incompetent bozo protects the guilty, innocent Americans are shot down like dogs in the street.

[WRhine]

WASHINGTON – Several witnesses to the Beltway sniper shootings over the past two weeks have described suspects resembling Middle-Eastern men, but authorities have played down the Islamic terrorism angle to avoid mass "panic" in the area, an ATF official told WorldNetDaily.

The chickens are continuing to come home to roost with our open borders, anything goes immigration policy. I'd like our political leaders to explain to us why America still allows immigration from terrorist harboring nations, why our borders are not protected, why our immigration laws are purposely not enforced.

[patriciaruth]

Ping.

[patriciaruth]

Ping.

[grania]

It's understandable that the administration doesn't want to panic people, close schools, curtail work and tourism, etc. It's also important not to prematurely accuse a person of the crime, and then find out that person is innocent. Richard Jewell is an example of what can happen...the real bomber is still out there, Richard Jewell's life was turned into a nightmare, and the FBI looked idiotic.

But, if there is a clear terrorism link, give Americans some credit. The authorities should be honest about it. People did just fine with cooperation after 911; most I know wondered why there weren't more restrictions to safeguard our future.

We can take any information they have...if its honest, accurate, and doesn't put open schools, going to work, and tourism ahead of real security.

[El Gato]

told authorities they saw a sniper taking aim and shooting from outside the reported getaway van, WorldNetDaily has learned.

These were both nighttime affairs, so less need for concealment, as long as one wasn't in a directly lighted area, and no one was all that close, they might see you, but would probably not be able to ID you.

[patriciaruth]

why America still allows immigration from terrorist harboring nations,

There was a big howl from the predictable left when Ashcroft and Powell signed on to special screening of visa applicants from terrorist harboring nations and to also (not as well publicized) screening young men with Arab backgrounds from all countries, BUT they are doing just that.

Ssssh. Don't tell anyone we are practicing racial profiling.

[spodefly]

This story infuriates me.

We are not stupid, Uncle Sam.

Why in the hell is it OK to profile 'white males' but not ME terrorists?

Who is paying the taxes, g-ddammit? Who is electing this 'representative' government?

We deserve to hear the truth, or you do not deserve to be our government, PERIOD.

[fooman]

Its really scary that the gubmint is sacrificing us for this.

If it is Al quada then citizens would more likely to be armed to defend themselves.

Barf

[patriciaruth]

People did just fine with cooperation after 911;

Then why is United Airlines facing Chapter 11 and all the airlines struggling with only 80% at best of their former passengers.

[Oregon Coast Conservative]

Drip Drip Drip. Slowly the truth is coming out, in order not to panic, or perhaps anger, the public, even though most of the public already suspects terrorism. Tomorrow could be interesting.

[Demidog]

The Bush administration fears parents might pull their children from schools

President Bush: Super Genius.

There are people being gunned down in the streets. But if we tell you how to best protect yourselves and what you should look for, you might take your kids out of school (where they can be easily targetted by whackjobs with rifles). And furthermore, children deserve an education and Ted Kennedy might get mad if the new legislation I allowed him to write didn't propogate to the childrun of Amerka.

[patriciaruth]

A minute ago you thought the possibility that this was a terrorist was ridiculous. Now that you can bash Bush, it's an okay theory?

[Dan Cooper]

Every commentator I've heard on the news keeps repeating that "if it was terrorism, then the perpertrators would take credit." I can't believe that they expect people to buy that. It seems so forced that I have to assume that behind the scenes, they (law enforcement and the media) know or strongly suspect that it is a terror cell at work here and they are trying very hard to keep the level of panic down. The anti-self defense proponents, who have a lot of sympathy in the media, are beating this to death as well, which would be less credible if it was a terror cell that is responsible.

[patriciaruth]

P.S. My country's name is spelled AMERICA!

Where do you come from?

[ex-Texan]

"The chickens are continuing to come home to roost with our open borders, anything goes immigration policy. I'd like our political leaders to explain to us why America still allows immigration from terrorist harboring nations, why our borders are not protected, why our immigration laws are purposely not enforced..."

The authorities will be forced by events to close the borders very soon .... the Muslims are just playing vile games, and Bush needs to step up and close the borders. In a few weeks this 'sniper hunt' might turn into a hunt for mall bombers, or the worse nightmare imaginable.

[WRhine]

The Bush administration fears parents might pull their children from schools if police speculate about a terrorist connection, he says. And federal employees might skip work, effectively shutting down the government.

If true, this is a sad indictment on Bush. On domestic matters this president really needs to grow a pair. Perhaps he is not pleased with the results of our ever greater experiment in "diversity".

[grania]

Me: People did just fine with cooperation after 911;

You: Then why is United Airlines facing Chapter 11 and all the airlines struggling with only 80% at best of their former passengers.

I don't see the connection. People aren't flying because they don't want to...the economy, fear of flying intensified, inconvenience, a lifestyle closer to home, for example. I don't see how not flying has anything to do with not cooperating with government initiatives to make our country safer.