Caution Shootings in Maryland

[ryanpatricksmom]

Residents of Montgomery County, Maryland....DO NOT leave your offices or homes. If you haven't heard, turn on the news. Schools are under lock-down, residents are urged to stay inside. There have been 5 people shot and killed in the last several hours by a random shooter. He has not been apprehended, and they do not know where he is headed!

[becka]

Scary! :eek:

I hope this gets resolved quickly before more innocent people are hurt.

[mtemm]

my sister lives there...just talked to her and she is okay thankfully. So scary!!!

[caitycaity]

rp's mom are you and yours ok?

i am afraid to go home since i live in rockville. :(

i can't get ahold of the in-laws who are visiting us and hanging out around rockville pike today. i'm hoping they stay safe.

i hope they catch these *******s before i have to go home (i work in dc).

[addicted_to_WDW]

I live in Aspen Hill, the location of most of the shootings, and I'm at work now in Rockville. It's amazing how many police are out and how many vans have been stopped on RT 355 just outside of my building.

I'm nervous because school lets out in a couple of hours and I have no idea how they are going to handle that...

[caitycaity]

ATWDW -- i've been thinking about you. stay safe.

[preshi]

YIKES!!! Freaking nutcase! I am keeping all of you in my thoughts....

[ryanpatricksmom]

I last heard that they are closing some of the afterhours programs at the schools. Ours is staying open at this point, thankfully. The plan as I understand it is to let the kids out at the normal time. Not the best plan IMO.

We are all fine Caity, thanks! Hope you hear from your in-laws soon. If you take public transportation you can e-mail me, I'll be happy to drop you off on the way home (I work in Bethesda )when I leave at 3.

Addicted, I'll update you if I hear anything else from the schools.

[addicted_to_WDW]

Thanks.

The funny thing is that I take the bus to work, and this morning I didn't watch the news or listen to the radio. So I'm standing outside with no clue that 5 people had just been killed in my area.

I'm feeling very fortunate.

[ryanpatricksmom]

OMG Addicted, you must be freaked out!

You too can e-mail me if you need a lift. Not that there's alot of protection in a Saturn VUE (I guess I should have bought a Hummer for God's sake), but it beats waiting at the bus stop in a state of panic.

[addicted_to_WDW]

Thanks for the offer! My husband swings by and picks me up on the way home, and even if he didn't usually, he would today!!!

[charlie,nj]

cnn story (http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/South/10/03/maryland.shootings/index.html)

[snoopy]

My son is in daycare in Montgomery County, they are in a lock down.

So scary. Between this and 9/11, I just don't know how much more of this I can take.

[wovenwonder]

Keep safe everyone! Do they have any idea who is doing this and why? [not that there could be a good reason]! Keep us updated PLEASE!

[caitycaity]

trhanks for the offer, but i have my car here. :)

[ryanpatricksmom]

Be careful Snoopy!

You know, each and every time I parked with my boyfriend in high school, there was a policeman banging on the window. Would someone please tell me how these people get away with this s**t in rush hour!

I've been trying to get in touch with my brother (Mont. Co. cop), but needless to say, he's a little busy. If I hear any insider info I'll be sure to post.

[snoopy]

I'm trying to decide if I should leave work now (in Baltimore) and go get my kid from daycare, then pick up the oldest in school (in D.C.), or just wait. DH can't leave work, he can never leave, nor can I ever get ahold of him whenever there is a nutcase running loose.

Please keep us abreast if you get any news from your brother ryanpatricksmom

[Galahad]

caity, snoopy et al.

Good Luck. Stay Safe!

How horrible!! :(

[Planogirl]

On the news, they keep mentioning a white delivery van of some kind that sped away from one of the shootings. There's apparently two men inside and there may or may not be lettering of some kind on the van. These men may have nothing to do with this but I hope that they find them just in case.

Be careful everyone in Montgomery County! And certainly everyone in surrounding counties too because these wackos may be anywhere.

[Claudia1]

Snoopy,

As hard as it would be to stay put, please stay put!!!!!

You are putting yourself and your kids at risk by being out on your own. At the schools, they are better protected and behind solid walls.

[jx3smom]

Is this anywhere near College Park? DS is a student there and lives off campus. He also drives around quite a bit in that area. Oh, just one more thing for me to worry about. To all of you in that area, please be careful.

[Galahad]

This is somewhat to the west and south of College Park. But no far.

[JAP]

:( :(

You guys stay safe and keep us posted. How awful. I hope the authorities catch the creep soon!:mad:

[snoopy]

College Park is right on the Prince Georges/Montgomery County line, but in PG County.

Claudia, I know, I'm freaking out right now. I just took a deep breath and called the daycare/nursery school, where the director assured me they are all safe. I do have to go there eventually though, I can't leave him there for any length of time. I think I will leave in an hour or so.

Stay safe everyone.

[Blondie]

Everyone stay safe!

[jx3smom]

It looks like they are questioning someone right now. To top it off there was a shooter outside the UN too. I do not think anyone was hurt and they have a suspect.

[Rajah]

Sending prayers that way that they catch this lunatic and anyone else working with him, and that everyone stays safe!!!

[ryanpatricksmom]

They just held a press conference.

Montgomery County Public Schools will be released as normal. That means the walkers will be walking...Dr. Weast thinks that a sense of normalcy is important in these situations...Dr. Weast can kiss my a**. They will, however, have counselors available tomorrow if your child was upset...gee thanks!

DC schools were on lock-down as well, but I didn't hear what they would be doing.

No leads so far. APB all across the metro area.

Everyone take care!

[snoopy]

What are they, insane????? Walkers can walk????? Uhhh, I don't THINK so!

I was just coming here to report that my son's school in D.C. is also in a lock down. I'm off to get both of my kids now, the oldest one goes from school to aftercare, where they let the kids run around the park and such. Not that I think they would allow that today, but just to be on the safe side I think I need to have them home with me.

[caitycaity]

stay safe, snoopy. several people are leaving work here to go get their kids too.

[DopeyRN]

OMG, how awful. Prayers that this idiot will be found soon. :(

[wovenwonder]

Shots fired at the United Nations
From Richard Roth (CNN)
Thursday, October 3, 2002 Posted: 1:56 PM EDT (1756 GMT)

This man was taken into custody after the shooting.

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- A man fired several shots into the air inside the gates in front of the United Nations on Thursday.

There were "at least three to four shots ... straight up in the air" said CNN U.N. Correspondent Richard Roth, who witnessed the incident.

The man threw his pistol to the ground and started to walk away. He threw about 25 white papers into the air.

Police quickly handcuffed a man and took him into custody.

It was not immediately clear whether the weapon was a real gun or a cap pistol.

No one was hurt.

The man was standing beside an empty fountain pool outside the U.N. building when he fired the shots, said Roth, who watched from a window on the fourth floor of the U.N. building.

The U.N. Security Council was meeting inside. No evacuation or other steps were taken inside the building, said U.N. spokeswoman Hua Jiang.

[Beauty]

How awful! Stay safe and my prayers are with you guys!

[tiggerlover]

I am listening to the news report on TV as I read this post. My thoughts are with you all who are in this area or knows someone in this area. My prayers are with you all.

Debbi

[Poohstyx]

Snoopy, how far is all of this from where Sandee lives? I sent her a pm, to make sure she is ok.
Stay safe everyone!

Poohstyx

[snoopy]

Just got home from picking up my kids. There are police EVERYWHERE, which I found enormously comforting.

This maniac is still at large, so everyone stay safe.

P.S. Poohstyx, I believe Sandee lives near Delaware, a good two hours or so from here. She should be o.k.

[JerseyJanice]

I've been thinking about you, Snoopy. Glad to hear you and the kids are home safe.

I hate to ask, but what are you going to do tomorrow if the shooter isn't caught?

[ryanpatricksmom]

Glad you're all safe!

I sure hope something breaks before tomorrow, this is incredibly stressful.

I think I'll head out in a few minutes...I hope Montgomery County's finest are still out there in force.

[Poohstyx]

Thanks, Snoopy! I'm glad she is out of harms way & wish all of y'all were too. What a mess! :rolleyes: Hope things are resolved real soon.


take care ~
Poohstyx

[caitycaity]

no kidding rp's mom. i hope this guy is caught. i'm not going to feel safe outside my house until he is. :( and i have to go grocery shopping tonight... :( :( :(

[Nancy]

Snoopy, you were the first person I thought of when I heard this news. Keep safe.

All the other DIS'ers in the area also stay safe and if going outside be alert.

[minniepumpernickel]

Stay safe everyone! I hope that they catch this psycho soon!

[snoopy]

Caity and ryanpatrickmom, be careful going out tonight! Just be sure to look all around you and don't let your guard down. Even though I'm in D.C., I skipped grocery shopping tonight, I'm thinking it will be a box mac & cheese night.

Do you think this guy is still out and about? I tend to think he knows they are looking for him all around the immediate area, and I think he is probably somewhere else.

The worst part about this is that the murderer shot someone at a bus station right by a very well known and large retirement community - Leisure World. These poor old people, they are scared to death to leave their houses. There is a grocery store within walking distance that many rely on to walk to - now they feel like they can't even go to the store without being worried about being gunned down. :(

[caitycaity]

i don't know where he is, but i sure hope they catch him. i don't think i'll feel safe until they do.

i also feel horrible for the old people at leisure world. :(

i agree with your original assessment...after 9/11 just another thing to worry about. :( my stress levels have gone through the roof.

[#1 Disney Fan]

I couldn't believe it when I heard about this today. :( So frighteningly scary. {{{Hugs}}} to everyone in that area, take care and please do try to be as careful as you can. We're thinking of you.

[addicted_to_WDW]

My MIL lives in Leisure World and wants us to stay with her tonight, for our safety. She feels safe in that the community is gated. I'm going to stop by there on my way home, but I'll sleep in my own bed tonight.

[ryanpatricksmom]

They had a profiler on WTOP this evening who thinks that they ditched the white truck and are sitting back enjoying the attention on the news. It just amazes me that all of this happened during rush hour.

I shopped at the Giant in Leisure World Plaza for 12 years. We only moved from the Aspen Hill area last year, and I grew up in Kensington. I really feel for Addicted, that's still her neighborhood, and even though the killers probably don't have any ties there, it must be spooky to be so close to where it happened. Btw, the senior citizens usually come in a community bus so they should be okay.

This morning I drove past the Rockville Pike crime scene about an hour before the shooting took place. Tomorrow I'm taking 270 in as far as I can go and staying off the side streets as much as possible. Almost every person in my office drove past one of the crimes scenes coming in this morning.

Obviously they are taking ridiculous chances, so who knows what they'll try next! I'm holding my breath through this rush hour.

[snoopy]

{{{hugs}}} addicted, caity & ryanpatrickmom! I'm not in Montgomery County and I feel creeped out, so I know you all must be feeling very vulnerable right now.

As if we in this D.C. metro area haven't been through enough in the past 13 months, now this. :( Its bound to shake people to their very core, all of this violence. :(

Did you guys see on the news where they were talking about how they tagged all the white trucks in the area with orange stickers? Why does the media give out this type of information? I mean, if the killers heard this, how hard would it be for them to duplicate the stickers? Sometimes I wonder WHY the media feels the need to report some of the things they do.

[Baboo]

OMG! {{{{hugs}}}} to all of you in that area! Please stay safe. Sending prayers that they find these guys soon.

[wovenwonder]

as reported on cnn.com -
Officials reached out to the public for help and offering a reward.

"If you have any information at all that you think might be helpful, please call 240-777-2600," said Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan. "We're also offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of whoever is responsible for this."

[Beauty]

I agree with Snoopy that the media just gives too much information. I know the public has the right to know and yada yada yada but who knows how many crazy people in the world will see this and think "Oh cool I wonder if we could get away with that!" just like the shootings in the school. Its so so sad!

I also agree that its crazy letting everyone know about the markings...what are these people thinking!

Stay safe you guys!! I'll be praying that these people or person are caught soon!

[mom2boys]

Truly scary. I am in Frederick County - just to the north of Montgomery County. We are home to Camp David & the infamous Ft. Detrick. My kids attend Catholic school in the city. The principal had the building under lock down by 11 am. Public schools didn't lock down here until about 2pm. We did "rainy day dismissal" which means the parents have to come to main entrance, give their child(ren)'s name(s) to a someone with a walkie, the name is relayed to the secretary who announces it over the PA. Then the parent waits & waits for the child to come down. The busses loaded right at the door today - usually the kids have to cross the street. I helped "take names". Usually all 500+ kids stand with their teachers on the sidewalk in front of the school at dismissal. Just as the busses were about to be called, a small white truck went down the street very slowly (the only way to go down a narrow city street with school busses parked on it.) All of us held our breathe.
The impact of the day is just now starting to sink in. I am thinking about the fact that we stood out on the sidewalk for 30-45 minutes. Naturally DH is away. I think the boys will be sleeping with me tonight. (Not that I think the shooters are coming to my house. I just want them close to me.)

[wovenwonder]

I'm glad that it has quieted down a bit for all of you that live close to the scene! Just curious -- did you go to work and school like normal today -- or choose to take a day off?

[ryanpatricksmom]

I, DH, and eldest DS are at work. Younger DS is at school. We're pretty much business as usual here.

I called my brother this morning (MC police officer) for a little insight. I was unable to reach him all day yesterday. It turns out that he wasn't working on the rampage, but was teaching a class at the training center so he knew less than the rest of us. Unfortunately, he is off today and spent the evening at a local radio show event (He's Officer Chris that's mentioned on DC101 for you local folks...we're so proud:rolleyes: ) so he can't provide any information.

We're going to keep DS from walking about the neighborhood for now, but other than that, I guess we'll go on as usual.

[jx3smom]

DS finally called last night. He was supposed to pick up some equipment in the area of the shootings for a show on campus. He was waiting until today. I hope they catch this SOB soon. Last year was really a sad year for the kids at the U. of Md. in College Park. There was 9/11, the tornado that took two students(sisters) lives, and two other student deaths. Now this crazy shooter(s) in the general area. It's all too much for me.

[snoopy]

Its business as usual for us too. DH works for the Secret Service, and when stuff like this goes down (including the freak at the UN bldg. who thought it would be cool to fire a few shots in the air) he always works extra hours. I'm at work in Baltimore.

My oldest boy is in school, the youngest is in daycare/nursery school in Montgomery County. Its raining/cloudy today, so they won't be going outside, thank goodness.

[caitycaity]

business as usual. i can't take time off from work.

my il's were visiting us this week. i think they're happy they're leaving tonight.

[addicted_to_WDW]

It's a normal day for us. I usually take the bus, but today I sucked it up and paid for parking. DS usually takes the bus to school, but I dropped him off for my own peace of mind.

I was amazed after work yesterday at how many people were out and about walking their dogs and carrying on as usual.

I work in a federal law enforcement office, and the agents are all wearing their weapons today. They usually don't when they are in the office.

[Luckymommyx2]

There's not much you can do other than be aware of your surroundings. I don't think it will help a great deal watching out for a white box truck. JMHO. These guys have surely dumped the truck by now. The big question is whether or not they will try anything like this again. Hopefully not and with the amount of agencies involved in the investigation I'm hoping that they will catch the SOBs before anything else happens. I hope they follow up on the angle about one of the shooters possibly being a marksman. It's just too bad that they don't have any forensics (that we know of or that I have heard of) so they can follow up on that as well. Has anyone heard about the one victim that survived the shootings? All I keep hearing is six shootings, five dead. I haven't had the opportunity to watch the news yet. I'll turn on WJZ (Baltimore) shortly if no ones knows.

[wovenwonder]

Did I hear correctly on the noon news -- that there might have been a 6th victim? Anyone in the area know more about this?

[Luckymommyx2]

Yes, I heard it too. Apparently there was a shooting at the Montgomery county line late last night. They don't know if it is related yet or not. I guess they're not going to say too much until they know for sure. I was glad to see that they are following up on the idea that the shooter/shooters were very good marksmen.

[caitycaity]

which montgomery county line?

[snoopy]

Oh goodness.

Please fill in the details if you can about the 6th shooting.

[ryanpatricksmom]

Caity, it was on Georgia Ave. at the district line, in D.C. The initial feeling is that it's unrelated. It's a high crime area (not exactly the section of town that I would pick for a stroll) so it could have been due to any number of circumstances. A 72 year old man was shot in the chest while standing on the corner, but no report as to whether he was robbed, was shot at close range, or anything else.

[preshi]

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) - Scores of law enforcement officers searched suburban Maryland on Friday for a sniper they believe randomly targeted five people, killing each with a single shot. Investigators were also trying to determine if another fatal shooting, in nearby Washington, was related.

Tests on the bullets and wounds indicated all five Maryland victims were hit from a distance, likely with .223-caliber bullets from an assault or hunting rifle, Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose said.

The Washington victim, a 72-year-old pedestrian, was shot once in the chest Thursday night as he stood at a street corner. It wasn't immediately clear if the deaths were related.

Washington police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile said "there is nothing at this point to indicate a connection. However, obviously we will take a close, hard look as to whether they are related."

The FBI ( news - web sites), meanwhile, was expected to provide investigators with a profile of the shooter, or shooters, by the end of the day, Moose said.

Schools opened Friday with extra patrols and calls poured into 911 dispatchers about loud noises.

"People are on edge," Moose said. "We're all human. We're all afraid."

There were no known witnesses to the shootings even though they happened in daylight in public places. All the Montgomery County victims died within five miles of one another during a 16-hour span Wednesday night and Thursday.

At a gas station, a taxi driver slumped, bleeding, onto a minivan. A landscaper mowing the lawn at a car dealership stumbled and fell. A woman at a post office collapsed on a bench. Another victim was vacuuming out her vehicle, and the fifth was in a parking lot.

Moose said the slayings had not definitely been linked but it was a strong possibility. None of the victims appeared to have been robbed, and police said race did not appear to be a motive. The victims were Hispanic and white; one was a native of India.

"There's still no information to lead us to think our victims are associated," Moose said. "They don't appear to be anyone's enemies, just random targets."

Friday morning, police searched for white trucks and vans in the area after reports that a white box truck was seen speeding away from one of the scenes. It was unclear whether the shots were fired from a vehicle or at what range. No stolen vehicles were reported, police said.

"We do have someone that so far has been very accurate in what they are attempting to do, and so we probably have a skilled shooter," Moose said.

Gov. Parris Glendening committed 140 state troopers, a helicopter and whatever additional aid is needed, a spokesman said. The FBI, Secret Service, and ATF also were involved.

Officers were following more than 150 leads, Moose said, and they collected security camera videos from businesses near the shooting scenes, including two grocery stores. He said authorities were reviewing a surveillance tape from one of the scenes, declining to release details except to say "it has been helpful."

Authorities also set up a tip hot line and offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect or suspects.

The killings began Wednesday evening. Around 6 p.m., James D. Martin, 55, of Silver Spring, a program analyst for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was shot in the parking lot of a Wheaton grocery store.

Around 7:45 a.m. Thursday, James L. "Sonny" Buchanan, 39, of Arlington, Va., was killed while cutting grass at a car dealership in the White Flint area. He stumbled toward the building before collapsing as dozens of employees ran toward him.

"I just put my hand on his shoulder and said, 'Help is on the way,'" service director Al Briggs told The Washington Post. "But he was already gone."

Prenkumar Walekar, 54, of Olney was shot about 8:15 a.m., while pumping gas into his cab at a station in the Aspen Hill area.

About a half-hour later, Sarah Ramos, 34, of Silver Spring died at a post office next to a retirement community in Silver Spring.

Dolores Wallgren said she saw Ramos slumped over on a bench, bleeding from the head, when she arrived to go to a beauty shop nearby.

"She was sitting on the bench, just sitting there," Wallgren said.

In the fifth shooting, Lori Ann Lewis-Rivera, 25, of Silver Spring was killed about 10 a.m. at a gas station in Kensington. Mechanics said they heard the shot but didn't see who shot Lewis-Rivera, who was vacuuming her van.

The man killed in northwest Washington was identified as Pascal Charlot, 72.

Schools were open Friday, but Carin Saez, 27, retrieved her 12-year-old niece, Kiarra Middleton, less than an hour into the school day after deciding it was too dangerous for her to be there. She didn't plan to let her own children return until the killer was caught.

"I was petrified to even go to the store last night," Saez said. "My kids were scared. They didn't even want to go outside. They're more scared now than on September 11."

The five killings brought the number of homicides in Montgomery County to 25 this year, the most since 1997.

[ryanpatricksmom]

Police Checking For Connection with Shooting in D.C.



(Washington-AP) -- A fatal shooting near the District-Montgomery County line last night is getting some renewed interest from authorities investigating a shooting spree in Montgomery County.
At first, police had ruled out any connection between the string of shootings and the incident last night at 9:15 at Georgia Avenue and Kalmia Road in Northwest D.C. That's where a 72-year-old District man was shot once in the chest while standing on the corner.

Now, according to Montgomery County Police Department spokesperson Lucille Baur, the shooting is still under investigation.

While police still believe it to be an unrelated event, Baur says additional testing and investigation is underway today.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Here's the most recent info on WTOP.

[JAP]

:(

Continued thoughts and prayers for those who have been hurt by these shootings. Stay safe everyone and keep up with the postings.

Jen

[caitycaity]

i agree rp'smom -- i think it is unrelated. you're right that that isn't a great area. i've driven through there a couple times on my way home from work.

[snoopy]

Probably unrelated, but then again, who knows? Georgia Avenue is only one street over from Connecticut and Rockville Pike, where 2 of the other murders occurred. I realize this is an area where crime is a way of life, but this county has not seen many murders this year. One so close to the others makes me wonder.

[Luckymommyx2]

According to the 5 o'clock news, they are taking a second look at the shooting last night. There has just been yet another shooting at another Michael's (craft store) in Fredrick, Va. I believe that lady is still alive but things appear to just be breaking so things keep developing. Anyone have anything to add? It could be a copy-cat shooting or completely non-related. I think any homicides in that general area are going to get some extra attention right now.

[Luckymommyx2]

Did you guys just see the news conference on MSNBC? They said that someone turned themselves in today admitting to the shootings. After asking for some detailed info that was never released to the media the person was determined NOT to be the shooter. Why would anyone in their right mind confess to something like this?!

[preshi]

he wanted attention... too many freaking loonies running around thsi country.