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CNN Live At Daybreak
Latest on Sniper Suspects
Aired October 25, 2002 - 06:01 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: For the very latest this morning on the sniper case, we head to the headquarters of the sniper task force in Montgomery County, Maryland. That's where we find our Patty Davis.
Good morning -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Well, the sources are telling us that the big break in this came last week, when the sniper called the sniper task force hotline and said, look at a killing in Montgomery. The next night, a priest in Montgomery, Alabama called to say that someone had called and said that they had been involved in a murder in his city.
Now, investigators then connected a fingerprint on the scene of this shooting at this liquor store September 21; a woman killed, another woman critically wounded. They linked a fingerprint there to John Lee Malvo, the 17-year-old. That led to 41-year-old John Muhammad. That connection established and helped police close in on the pair at a rest stop in Maryland early yesterday morning as they were sleeping in a car.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE: This investigation is not done, and the work will continue until we can assure that it is complete. But most of all, I'd like to join Agent Bald and Agent Bouchard in thanking all of the members of the public that have called, that has paid attention, who remain vigilant, observant, aware, and most importantly, have remained resilient.
DOUG DUNCAN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY EXECUTIVE: This task force worked together in an unprecedented and remarkable fashion, so on behalf of this community, I want to say thank you to all of the members of the task force.
I also want to thank the people of this region. Throughout this horrible ordeal, the residents of this community proved that faith and hope always triumphs over darkness and despair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVIS: Now, one source called the suspect's 1990 blue Chevrolet Caprice a "killing machine." Two holes bored in the trunk, one for a scope, one for a rifle to stick out, so that the sniper could shoot concealed. Now, these two apparently did have brushes with the police. In one instant, we are told, Baltimore police came upon John Muhammad, the 41-year-old, sleeping in his car in Baltimore on October 8. That was the day after the 13-year-old was shot in Bowie, Maryland. And since they had no arrest warrant, no outstanding warrants for him, they just told him to leave -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Patty, I want to ask you about Chief Moose, because you have to believe that last night was one of the few nights in a long time that he was able to get a good night's sleep. A lot of people are e-mailing us this morning and calling him a hero.
Tell us his mood last night.
DAVIS: As I viewed that press conference last night, Chief Moose still had that stern, austere look to him, but a few times he was almost on the verge of tears. Obviously, he didn't want to break down in front of everybody, but this has got to be a triumphant moment for him.
So many disappointments, so many setbacks here, and they were finally able to catch these two suspects early yesterday morning; the tears kind of symbolizing his frustration, his desperation at points finally -- finally coming to some closure there -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes, kudos to him.
DAVIS: It was poignant. It was very poignant.
COSTELLO: I bet it was. Thank you, Patty Davis. We'll get back to you in a bit.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired October 25, 2002 - 06:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: For the very latest this morning on the sniper case, we head to the headquarters of the sniper task force in Montgomery County, Maryland. That's where we find our Patty Davis.
Good morning -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Well, the sources are telling us that the big break in this came last week, when the sniper called the sniper task force hotline and said, look at a killing in Montgomery. The next night, a priest in Montgomery, Alabama called to say that someone had called and said that they had been involved in a murder in his city.
Now, investigators then connected a fingerprint on the scene of this shooting at this liquor store September 21; a woman killed, another woman critically wounded. They linked a fingerprint there to John Lee Malvo, the 17-year-old. That led to 41-year-old John Muhammad. That connection established and helped police close in on the pair at a rest stop in Maryland early yesterday morning as they were sleeping in a car.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE: This investigation is not done, and the work will continue until we can assure that it is complete. But most of all, I'd like to join Agent Bald and Agent Bouchard in thanking all of the members of the public that have called, that has paid attention, who remain vigilant, observant, aware, and most importantly, have remained resilient.
DOUG DUNCAN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY EXECUTIVE: This task force worked together in an unprecedented and remarkable fashion, so on behalf of this community, I want to say thank you to all of the members of the task force.
I also want to thank the people of this region. Throughout this horrible ordeal, the residents of this community proved that faith and hope always triumphs over darkness and despair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVIS: Now, one source called the suspect's 1990 blue Chevrolet Caprice a "killing machine." Two holes bored in the trunk, one for a scope, one for a rifle to stick out, so that the sniper could shoot concealed. Now, these two apparently did have brushes with the police. In one instant, we are told, Baltimore police came upon John Muhammad, the 41-year-old, sleeping in his car in Baltimore on October 8. That was the day after the 13-year-old was shot in Bowie, Maryland. And since they had no arrest warrant, no outstanding warrants for him, they just told him to leave -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Patty, I want to ask you about Chief Moose, because you have to believe that last night was one of the few nights in a long time that he was able to get a good night's sleep. A lot of people are e-mailing us this morning and calling him a hero.
Tell us his mood last night.
DAVIS: As I viewed that press conference last night, Chief Moose still had that stern, austere look to him, but a few times he was almost on the verge of tears. Obviously, he didn't want to break down in front of everybody, but this has got to be a triumphant moment for him.
So many disappointments, so many setbacks here, and they were finally able to catch these two suspects early yesterday morning; the tears kind of symbolizing his frustration, his desperation at points finally -- finally coming to some closure there -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes, kudos to him.
DAVIS: It was poignant. It was very poignant.
COSTELLO: I bet it was. Thank you, Patty Davis. We'll get back to you in a bit.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
