I don't know how many on this board reside in the DC metropolitan area (probably not many), but the entire country must now know that a sniper has killed nine people and wounded two in our neighborhood. I live precisely in the middle of the terrorist attacks (and that is exactly what it is) and personally I am about to lose my mind. I am scared, sickened, and furious of the psychopath(s) who think he/they should be able to judge on who dies and when. My husband thinks it is more then one person and thinks a bigger attack (Taliban?) is under way. He thinks the sniper is nothing more then a rouse to pull troops and security out of DC. I, on the otherhand, think it is two guys getting kicks out of "playing god". People here are on edge. Seriously, we have all gone nuts (and rightfully so). Women now sit on the floors of their cars while pumping gas. I only pump gas in full daylight and put myself between a concrete barrier and my truck (see how pathetic it has gotten). My husband and I went to a car show the other day (held outside) and a white van drove by (everyone stopped speaking and looked at the truck until it was out of sight). We eye hotel windows suspiciously and people literally run into the post office and grocery stores. I have never been a homebody, but I am constantly on edge when going out and I feel safer behind my own front door. I was just curious on how everyone (if you're in the area or not) was doing. Dani
Dani, I live 3 1/2 hours from you, and can't imagine what you are going through. I hope they put a cap in the guys butt soon.
Dani, My heart goes out to you and everyone who lives in that area. Whenever I see a news report about another attack, it makes me so angry. What the hell is happening to our country?! You can't go to the gas station or Home Depot without worrying that some sicko is going to gun you down! I pray they catch whoever is responsible for this SOON!
Thanks sweet and Velouria. I hate to admit it, but I happen to think my husband is right. This is too organized (they are now looking for 3 vehicles which seem to pop up at various shootings). The more I think about and watch the news the more I think it is Osama and his crew. So far, this is what I have come up with: 1. The recent Bali attack and Yemen attack (I think these were just warnings to attract US attention to overseas). 2. American transportation (I realize this is a little far fetched) but Al Qaeda likes using our own vehicles (planes, trucks, etc) against us. 3. The number of vehicles that show up at each shooting (and their matching descriptions). They may be decoys to the real killer. 4. They are only targeting finanical/business entities. The gas stations, Home Depot, the Post Office, car dealerships, etc. What was the Taliban's goal in September 11th? To destroy the American financial/economic system. 5. The only people being killed are white, Hispanic, and black. There was one man from India killed, but India and the Middle East have had turmoil before. 6. They are only killing in the Metropolitan suburbs - MD and VA. I think this is a tactic to pull the federal, state, and local law enforcement away from the DC area (in hence, leaving it unprotected for even a bigger attack). 7. The Pentagon has recently gotten involved and is now letting the states use the same military air equipment used in Afghanistan. This is makes me think we're not speaking of only one crazy guy. I hope I am so wrong, but I think the proof is pretty evident. Dani
Well, Dani, you know I'm not that far away from DC. Even though I live outside of Baltimore, I still am VERY freaked out by all of this. My elderly grandmother lives right in the thick of where the first round of shootings took place, and I live in fear of getting that phone call every day. I had to get gas on the way to work this morning and literally leaped back into the car to wait the minute the pump started up. I stood there screwing in my gas cap, waiting for a bullet in the back. I know that sounds overly dramatic, but it's a common feeling around here, and nobody's laughing about it. My fiance suggested a terrorist plot from the very beginning, and I scoffed at him for being a conspiracy theorist, but now I'm seeing his point. It sounds terrible to say, but I'm more frightened by this then by the events of Sept. 11. Does anyone else out there think the media is giving out way too much information? Now that the military is involved, reporters have asked what the sniper can do to avoid detection, and like idiots the spokespeople listed them all! WTH?? I think they need to stop reporting until they catch this guy - I think it's unlikely that a civilian is going to call in with that winning tip. Just my opinion, though. Scary times indeed.
Am I the only one who notices that it is the same kind of sneak attack that took place last year at the same time? The terrorists have switched from anthrax in the mail to bullets.
We had a guy like this in my area here in Ohio a few years back. Killed 5 people before they got him. His victims were all hunters or fishermen. So you were not to likely to run across him unless you went hunting or fishing. The guy here was more selective of his victims than the killer(S)in your area. I can understand your feelings.
I live in the Baltimore metro area. After about three weeks of CNN.com special reports, graphics, interactive maps, timelines, interviews, and fact sheets, I'm certain of only three things: 1) there sure are a lot of white vans around; 2) people are sick; and 3) some of these items are beginning to look mighty attractive. Not to make light of the situation, but do you remember the good ol' days when we only had to worry about being attacked by mosquitoes, sharks, and Gary Condit? wajaba
We got the bastards! Yea! You should see the rejoicing at gas stations (people are actually standing outside and pumping their gas). Yea! They were arrested at a rest stop at I-70 near Frederick, MD very early this morning. September 11th sympathizers...if there is any justice in the world we should give the victims families 40s and throw the two in a fenced in Amoco and let the families shoot them. I know that sounds horrible and very vengeful, but these jerks made our lives (especially the victims families) a living hell. It is sad that 11 people had to die and four wounded before they were found. Such a tragedy. Dani
