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CNN Live Event/Special

Franklin County Sheriff's Dept. Press Conference

Aired December 07, 2003 - 16:01   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.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: I want to take you now to Ohio, where the investigation is carrying on in the search for an elusive shooter. Let's listen in.
CHIEF DEP. STEVE MARTIN, FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: ... of the person or persons responsible for these shootings is being increased from $10,000 to $20,000. Please contact the sheriff's office tip line at area code 614-462-4646. No tip is too insignificant.

As you know, law enforcement officers working these cases took two significant investigative steps yesterday. First, a neighborhood investigation was conducted in the vicinity of the Hamilton Township Central Elementary School in Obetz. Approximately 840 residences were targeted by the investigators because of the probability of some connection to the shooting incidents.

Whether the person or persons responsible live, work or visit friends or relatives in this particular area remains unknown at this time. What is clear is that there exists a certain level of comfort experienced by the shooter or shooters in this particular neighborhood. Information gathered is being evaluated for potential lead value. We appreciate the assistance from the many officers from outside agencies that participated and made this daunting task possible.

Second, a section of Interstate 270 was shut down for approximately two hours last evening. Citizens should know that even though this act caused a major inconvenience for everyone needing to travel through this area, investigators were able to conduct the necessary measurements and analysis that we believe will ultimately aid in the resolution of these shooting incidents. Again, information gathered last night is being reviewed for potential lead value. We appreciate the assistance of the Ohio Department of Transportation and the patience of our community.

To the person or persons responsible for these shooting incidents, including the death of Mrs. Gail Knisley on November 25, 2003: we continue to want to communicate with you. Please contact the sheriff's office immediately at area code 614-462-4646. If you prefer, you can also write to a special post office box that's been set up just for you, and that's the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 360562, Columbus, Ohio, 43236-0562.

To the media: thank you for getting out the information we believe is so critical out to our community in a timely and responsible manner. Our next press conference will be tomorrow at 4:00.

I'll take a few questions.

WHITFIELD: All right. Out of Franklin County, Ohio there, they are increasing the reward from $10,000 to $20,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the shooter or shooters along I-270 in the Columbus, Ohio area. At least one person has been killed during those shootings, that of Gail Knisley. More information on that as we get it.

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 December 7, 2003 - 16:01   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: I want to take you now to Ohio, where the investigation is carrying on in the search for an elusive shooter. Let's listen in.
CHIEF DEP. STEVE MARTIN, FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: ... of the person or persons responsible for these shootings is being increased from $10,000 to $20,000. Please contact the sheriff's office tip line at area code 614-462-4646. No tip is too insignificant.

As you know, law enforcement officers working these cases took two significant investigative steps yesterday. First, a neighborhood investigation was conducted in the vicinity of the Hamilton Township Central Elementary School in Obetz. Approximately 840 residences were targeted by the investigators because of the probability of some connection to the shooting incidents.

Whether the person or persons responsible live, work or visit friends or relatives in this particular area remains unknown at this time. What is clear is that there exists a certain level of comfort experienced by the shooter or shooters in this particular neighborhood. Information gathered is being evaluated for potential lead value. We appreciate the assistance from the many officers from outside agencies that participated and made this daunting task possible.

Second, a section of Interstate 270 was shut down for approximately two hours last evening. Citizens should know that even though this act caused a major inconvenience for everyone needing to travel through this area, investigators were able to conduct the necessary measurements and analysis that we believe will ultimately aid in the resolution of these shooting incidents. Again, information gathered last night is being reviewed for potential lead value. We appreciate the assistance of the Ohio Department of Transportation and the patience of our community.

To the person or persons responsible for these shooting incidents, including the death of Mrs. Gail Knisley on November 25, 2003: we continue to want to communicate with you. Please contact the sheriff's office immediately at area code 614-462-4646. If you prefer, you can also write to a special post office box that's been set up just for you, and that's the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 360562, Columbus, Ohio, 43236-0562.

To the media: thank you for getting out the information we believe is so critical out to our community in a timely and responsible manner. Our next press conference will be tomorrow at 4:00.

I'll take a few questions.

WHITFIELD: All right. Out of Franklin County, Ohio there, they are increasing the reward from $10,000 to $20,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the shooter or shooters along I-270 in the Columbus, Ohio area. At least one person has been killed during those shootings, that of Gail Knisley. More information on that as we get it.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com