ECO-TERRORES
Sniper Case Closed?
Gun ballistic match for sniper rifle Here is the kind of comment we have been waiting to hear from law enforcement sources: "The general sentiment is we got our guys." After a night of incredible activity in the sniper case, authorities arrested John Allen Muhammad and his 17-year-old stepson Lee Malvo. The two suspects were arrested at a Maryland rest stop after police had searched a home they once lived in across the country in Washington State.
Ballistics match rifle to sniper attacks: Authorities seem to have already collected a massive amount of evidence against Muhammad and Salvo. A rifle consistent with the weapon used in the sniper attacks was found in their car along with a tripod and a scope. The car had also been altered so that one could shoot through a hole bored in the trunk.
Call to tip line provided break in case: The key tip in the case may have been a call to a police tip line suggesting that authorities take a close look at a robbery and murder that took place in Alabama in September. It looks like that call may have been placed by one of the suspects.
Potential Evidence: After checking into Alabama crime, authorities were able to match a fingerprint with Salvo and learn that the sketch of a suspect in that case was similar to the composite sketch of the sniper.
Sniper's message cites Cherokee tale: The last cryptic message that the sniper suspects told the police to read to the public was: "We have caught the sniper like a duck in a noose." The line comes from an old Cherokee Indian story. In the story, the duck got away.
‘Expert’ Marksman: Some initial background on John Allen Williams who changed his name to John Allen Muhammad after converting to Islam. He is a Gulf War veteran who has been described as physically fit and quiet.
Gun found in suspects' car matched to sniper shootings: So far authorities do not think that Muhammad and Malvo had any connections to an organized group. But both were known to speak sympathetically about those who carried out the 9-11 attacks.
Sniper Ties To Suspicious Ala. Camp?: Muhammad may have trained at an alleged terror camp in rural Alabama. Authorities first became interested in the paramilitary training center after 9-11. The name of the camp: Ground Zero.
Media face criticism in D.C. sniper coverage: Those who were up late enough huddled around television sets as the law closed in on the suspects. During this period, there was an enormous amount of news to report. But the full-time, special logoed, themesonged coverage has been going on for weeks. Did the always-on coverage help the case or hurt it?
Investigation Timeline: Here is a timeline of the major events in the sniper case