Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Detectives Point to Possible Drug Link in Sniper Killings
Aired August 20, 2003 - 11:15 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: Detectives in West Virginia are pointing now to a possible drug link in the sniper-style shootings, and authorities plan an afternoon press conference in this case. Three people have been shot and killed at convenience stores this month in the Charleston, West Virginia area.
Here now, investigative correspondent, Art Harris.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAYOR DANNY JONES, CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA: I'm not sure if that puts a scent on me or not.
ART HARRIS, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Until now, the mayor has been one of the many people in Charleston, West Virginia, who drive a large, black pickup truck. Not anymore. Now, the mayor comes to work in his antique 1956 Chrysler Imperial.
JONES: My black pickup is at home, and it's been there since the investigation started.
HARRIS: Ever since a dark pickup truck, like this, was seen speeding away from the scene of the latest murder, police have been stopping this type of truck, taking names and license tags.
SHERIFF DAVE TUCKER, KANAWHA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA: Anyone that is in an area where a crime was committed, that's who we want to talk to. Suspect, victim, it don't make any difference.
HARRIS: For the first time, investigators are raising the possibility that the latest shootings in rural areas outside Charleston might be drug related, even though police offered no evidence to tie any victim to drug involvement.
CHIEF PHIL MORRIS, KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: I'm not speculating on whether they were or were not, but the people that reside in Campbell's Creek stated that there is a drug problem, and we are looking into that problem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS): For the first time, investigators now say that ballistics tests link all three shootings to the same weapon, and that that weapon is probably a rifle.
Also, surveillance video from an area near the gas pumps at the two last stations show that the mystery dark pickup was at both murder scenes. And that at a 1:30 press conference, officials are expected to release that video to the public that will show us the truck they are looking for -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, good deal. We'll wait to see that then, and we'll you then as well. Thanks, Art -- Art Harris reporting live for us from Charleston, West Virginia.
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 August 20, 2003 - 11:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Detectives in West Virginia are pointing now to a possible drug link in the sniper-style shootings, and authorities plan an afternoon press conference in this case. Three people have been shot and killed at convenience stores this month in the Charleston, West Virginia area.
Here now, investigative correspondent, Art Harris.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAYOR DANNY JONES, CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA: I'm not sure if that puts a scent on me or not.
ART HARRIS, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Until now, the mayor has been one of the many people in Charleston, West Virginia, who drive a large, black pickup truck. Not anymore. Now, the mayor comes to work in his antique 1956 Chrysler Imperial.
JONES: My black pickup is at home, and it's been there since the investigation started.
HARRIS: Ever since a dark pickup truck, like this, was seen speeding away from the scene of the latest murder, police have been stopping this type of truck, taking names and license tags.
SHERIFF DAVE TUCKER, KANAWHA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA: Anyone that is in an area where a crime was committed, that's who we want to talk to. Suspect, victim, it don't make any difference.
HARRIS: For the first time, investigators are raising the possibility that the latest shootings in rural areas outside Charleston might be drug related, even though police offered no evidence to tie any victim to drug involvement.
CHIEF PHIL MORRIS, KANAWHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: I'm not speculating on whether they were or were not, but the people that reside in Campbell's Creek stated that there is a drug problem, and we are looking into that problem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS): For the first time, investigators now say that ballistics tests link all three shootings to the same weapon, and that that weapon is probably a rifle.
Also, surveillance video from an area near the gas pumps at the two last stations show that the mystery dark pickup was at both murder scenes. And that at a 1:30 press conference, officials are expected to release that video to the public that will show us the truck they are looking for -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, good deal. We'll wait to see that then, and we'll you then as well. Thanks, Art -- Art Harris reporting live for us from Charleston, West Virginia.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
