What do you think of the sniper's demands?

[Deb in IA]

Authorities have released more details of the messages the alleged DC area sniper has left, including a demand for $10 million, to be wired to a domestic account, and the fact that the sniper has called them 5 to 6 times, becoming angry when he felt that no one was listening to him. Officials now admit that one of these calls was dismissed by an FBI trainee manning the phones as a "prank call". Another call made the sniper so mad that he screamed "Shut up and listen!!"

According to these sources, the bus driver was shot yesterday after the deadline for the $10 million transfer had passed with no action.

And, of course, the famous P.S. "Your children are not safe -- anywhere, and at anytime."



What do you think?

[JohnTBap]

If it's a domestic account, won't that lead them to him?

[addicted_to_WDW]

I think he's stupid if he thinks he's going to get $10,000,000. The cops have no reason to trust him to stop killing even if he got the money. Does he think that no one will be able to trace him to a bank account?

He's hitting where it hurts with the kids comment. He knows that nothing is more precious, and by threatening children he thinks the cops will give in to his demands. The threats weren't specific. Someone on the news yesterday said that what the threat really means is that No one is safe, anytime, anywhere, not just children.

[honeywolf7]

I didn't know about the additional info until I went to lunch with Roger. He thinks that the sniper wants the money sent to a foreign bank account. He also said (which I can't seem to get myself to believe for myself) that if it's his time to go, it's his time to go and the sniper could have been hiding in the trees waiting to shoot into cars for all we knew as we drove along the Interstate.

[JasonLyons]

I hate our " please communicate with us Mr Sniper " attitude, I say make him mad, and he will slip up

[browneyes]

I'd say the caller isn't him/her.:(

[becka]

My guess is that this is just another way to toy with the police.

I think the accent, the bad grammer, the demands are all made up just to lead the police in the wrong direction and to continue to generate more press. :rolleyes:

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by browneyes
I'd say the caller isn't him/her.:(

...I wonder about that, too, Shannon. I'm almost waiting for Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson to show up! It's sounds too pat, like the script of the latest thrill movie! :earseek:

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Robinrs
...I wonder about that, too, Shannon. I'm almost waiting for Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson to show up! It's sounds too pat, like the script of the latest thrill movie! :earseek: [/B]
Or a book. I don't remember which author my sister was talking about, but there's a book where something like this is happening in the first chapter I believe. Okay...No authors allowed except for those writing DISNEY stories!

[bumcat]

I don't think it's him either. Serial killers aren't usually interested in money.

[Galahad]

There are probably too many things in that long letter or about the calls he made that only the shooter could know. Part of the delay in "responding" to him might have been the police satisfying themselves that they have the right guy.

[AirForceRocks]

Exactly Galahad. The area around the shooting was sealed off, and it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to get in there after the shooting and leave the letter.

And except for the shooter, who would have known beforehand where to leave the message?

[caitycaity]

i'm pretty satisfied that it is him as well.

[LarryC]

Because he was hung up on 5 times, he said that 5 more people must die.

He WILL be caught. But we need the FBI to take over the lead. Montgomery County PD has no business leading this multi-state investigation.

[JohnTBap]

Originally posted by Robinrs
...I wonder about that, too, Shannon. I'm almost waiting for Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson to show up! It's sounds too pat, like the script of the latest thrill movie! :earseek: [/B]

For you, Robin, I guess that I could let Bruce out of the basement.... hehehe

[SuiteDisney]

He's putting some sort of identifying mark on his notes so the police can tell that they're from him.

He wanted the money to be electronically transferred to a credit card account, but it turned out to be a stolen credit card.

I sure hope they get a breakthrough clue and catch him before he shoots anyone else. :(

[addicted_to_WDW]

Guess who hung up on the caller? An FBI recruit. Federal Law Enforcement 1811's are manning the lines, not the local PD.

[MeanLaureen]

Here is my theory on the whole "ransom" thing.

I seriously don't think he has any interest in the money and expects that the government will give him the money. Let's face it, if the gov't shelled out 10M to this wacko, any idiot with a rifle will look at it as a get rich quick scheme.

Plus lets face it, while $10M is nothing to sneeze at and I personally wouldn't turn it down, it's not a tremendous amount of money in the big scheme of things. I think if he was truely in it for money he would have asked for a lot more. (Shoot, the cast of Friends makes more in 2 weeks)

Here is what I think he is doing. I think he is trying to turn the public against the police and feds. He makes a demand he knows they can't follow through on, he in turn "takes it out" on another innocent civilian. Then he makes it public - "see, you didn't meet my demand so I killed another person" If this keeps up there will be an outrage among the people of MD/DC/VA because maybe they will see it as that the authorities don't care and it will make their job even harder.

At least that is my idea of why he is doing this (for what it's worth)

[AirForceRocks]

On "Imus" this morning, one of the guys said "Screw paying the sniper $10 million...offer a $10 million reward instead, and see how long it takes to find him!!"

Sounds good to me!

[addicted_to_WDW]

I agree that it isn't about the money, but I don't think it's a ploy to turn anyone against the authorities. I see it more as the gunman pulling puppet strings and enjoying it.

It's sad all around. :(

[AirForceRocks]

I agree ATWDW...just some sicko getting his kicks by playing games.... :(

[snoopy]

Yup, I don't think people are going to turn against the authorities and side with the sniper.

He's deranged. Like atwdw said, its all about him having control.

By the way, its a relief to see you here atwdw, I was thinking of you yesterday with the latest shooting in Aspen Hilll and was wondering how you are making out.

[Serena]

I like the reward idea.

[MeanLaureen]

I didn't mean that they would side with the sniper but there would be a lot more pressure on the police if the people thought they were being lax on helping come to an end to this mess.