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One of Few Public Clues in Sniper Shootings Could Involve Michaels Craft Stores
Aired October 16, 2002 - 10:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, one of the few public clues in the Washington sniper shootings could involve a chain of craft stores called Michaels.
We'll get details on that now from CNN's Jason Carroll reporting from Falls Church, Virginia.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): October 2nd, Aspen Hill, Maryland, a single shot was fired through a window at a Michaels craft store. No one is hurt. In the following days, there are more shots. And in several cases, a Michaels store is nearby, including Monday night's shooting in Virginia. Some believe it's no coincidence.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think maybe something that has to do with Michaels.
CARROLL (on camera): Something to do with Michaels?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel a little uneasy being near a Michaels store, actually. But here I am.
CARROLL (voice-over): And you feel uneasy because you believe there is some sort of a pattern, or...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it would seem to be so far.
CARROLL: So far, there have been 12 shootings. Three have taken place in or very close to a Michaels. Two days after the Aspen Hills shooting, a woman is shot and wounded in front of a Michaels in Fredericksburg, Virginia. On Monday night, in Falls Church, Virginia, a woman is murdered in front of a Home Depot. On the opposite side of that same mall, a Michaels. Michaels employees say they can't talk to the news media, but their concerns were clear.
(on camera): You can't say anything?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Same as the community, just as concerned.
CARROLL (voice-over): Just as concerned?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. CARROLL (on camera): A spokesman for Michaels says the company's representatives are involved with -- quote -- "open and constant communication with investigators." And according to that spokesman, those investigators have not given the company any evidence to suggest Michaels is a target or part of some sort of a larger pattern.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are more than 600 Michaels stores nationwide, a dozen or so within the general area of the shooting, many in shopping centers. An important point, so says one law enforcement analyst.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Just because of the sheer numbers of Michaels craft stores, that could also be a reason why there's been a Michaels craft store around the scenes of these shootings.
CARROLL (voice-over): Four of the shootings occurred at gas stations. Police won't confirm if Michaels plays an important role in their investigation. What is clear is that the speculation will continue until the sniper is caught.
Jason Carroll, CNN, Falls Church, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Michaels Craft Stores>
Aired October 16, 2002 - 10:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, one of the few public clues in the Washington sniper shootings could involve a chain of craft stores called Michaels.
We'll get details on that now from CNN's Jason Carroll reporting from Falls Church, Virginia.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): October 2nd, Aspen Hill, Maryland, a single shot was fired through a window at a Michaels craft store. No one is hurt. In the following days, there are more shots. And in several cases, a Michaels store is nearby, including Monday night's shooting in Virginia. Some believe it's no coincidence.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think maybe something that has to do with Michaels.
CARROLL (on camera): Something to do with Michaels?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel a little uneasy being near a Michaels store, actually. But here I am.
CARROLL (voice-over): And you feel uneasy because you believe there is some sort of a pattern, or...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it would seem to be so far.
CARROLL: So far, there have been 12 shootings. Three have taken place in or very close to a Michaels. Two days after the Aspen Hills shooting, a woman is shot and wounded in front of a Michaels in Fredericksburg, Virginia. On Monday night, in Falls Church, Virginia, a woman is murdered in front of a Home Depot. On the opposite side of that same mall, a Michaels. Michaels employees say they can't talk to the news media, but their concerns were clear.
(on camera): You can't say anything?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Same as the community, just as concerned.
CARROLL (voice-over): Just as concerned?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. CARROLL (on camera): A spokesman for Michaels says the company's representatives are involved with -- quote -- "open and constant communication with investigators." And according to that spokesman, those investigators have not given the company any evidence to suggest Michaels is a target or part of some sort of a larger pattern.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are more than 600 Michaels stores nationwide, a dozen or so within the general area of the shooting, many in shopping centers. An important point, so says one law enforcement analyst.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Just because of the sheer numbers of Michaels craft stores, that could also be a reason why there's been a Michaels craft store around the scenes of these shootings.
CARROLL (voice-over): Four of the shootings occurred at gas stations. Police won't confirm if Michaels plays an important role in their investigation. What is clear is that the speculation will continue until the sniper is caught.
Jason Carroll, CNN, Falls Church, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Michaels Craft Stores>
