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CNN Live Event/Special

Investigation Continues Of Shootings In Columbus, Ohio

Aired February 08, 2004 - 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.


FREDERICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: On now to Columbus, Ohio, where investigators continue to look into, so far reported, 21 shootings, but now believe another shooting has taken place involving juveniles. Let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

DEP. STEVE MARTIN, FRANKLIN COUNTY SHEFFIF'S DEPT: ...Witnesses to the incident describe seeing a white male approximately 30 to 40 years of age associated with a small, dark colored vehicle on the overpass when these incidents occur. Evidence collected at the scene, although preliminary at this time, seem to be consistent with shooting incidents from past incidents linked already.

All evidence is currently being hand-carried to the Columbus Police Department crime lab for investigation.

A vehicle was spotted by the Ohio State Highway patrol around the time of the shooting incident. There were two occupants inside the vehicle, both were detained and transported. They were both interviewed where it was determined they were not involved in the shooting incidents.

We are tentatively planning a press conference for tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. unless you are otherwise advised. Take a couple questions.

QUESTION: Chief, how do you know that the two separate overpasses, one mile apart from each other within minutes, how is that possible? Is it possible, then, that someone else was driving? How does the shooter move that quickly?

MARTIN: Well, I can tell you, there was one individual seen. I gave awe description of that. And it's my understanding from talking to the authorities in Fayette County that that's a very short jump to get from one bridge to the other.

QUESTION: What about now that there is somewhat of a description of a suspect? Does that -- what does that do in terms of, I guess, hope for the task force, that this is the first time you've ever actually -- you've released some sort of description?

MARTIN: Right. It's positive for us, and that's the reason we're telling you about it now. The fact is, we have a single individual, from what we understand, that's 30 to 40 years old, who is a white male. So that's -- that's a positive piece of information for the task force.

QUESTION: How much of a leap forward is this?

WHITFIELD: Police in Ohio, Columbus, Ohio saying they're now trying to determine whether two recent shootings could in any way be linked to 21 other sniper shootings taking place near the interstate's in Columbus, Ohio. More on that when 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 February 8, 2004 - 16:01   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDERICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: On now to Columbus, Ohio, where investigators continue to look into, so far reported, 21 shootings, but now believe another shooting has taken place involving juveniles. Let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

DEP. STEVE MARTIN, FRANKLIN COUNTY SHEFFIF'S DEPT: ...Witnesses to the incident describe seeing a white male approximately 30 to 40 years of age associated with a small, dark colored vehicle on the overpass when these incidents occur. Evidence collected at the scene, although preliminary at this time, seem to be consistent with shooting incidents from past incidents linked already.

All evidence is currently being hand-carried to the Columbus Police Department crime lab for investigation.

A vehicle was spotted by the Ohio State Highway patrol around the time of the shooting incident. There were two occupants inside the vehicle, both were detained and transported. They were both interviewed where it was determined they were not involved in the shooting incidents.

We are tentatively planning a press conference for tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. unless you are otherwise advised. Take a couple questions.

QUESTION: Chief, how do you know that the two separate overpasses, one mile apart from each other within minutes, how is that possible? Is it possible, then, that someone else was driving? How does the shooter move that quickly?

MARTIN: Well, I can tell you, there was one individual seen. I gave awe description of that. And it's my understanding from talking to the authorities in Fayette County that that's a very short jump to get from one bridge to the other.

QUESTION: What about now that there is somewhat of a description of a suspect? Does that -- what does that do in terms of, I guess, hope for the task force, that this is the first time you've ever actually -- you've released some sort of description?

MARTIN: Right. It's positive for us, and that's the reason we're telling you about it now. The fact is, we have a single individual, from what we understand, that's 30 to 40 years old, who is a white male. So that's -- that's a positive piece of information for the task force.

QUESTION: How much of a leap forward is this?

WHITFIELD: Police in Ohio, Columbus, Ohio saying they're now trying to determine whether two recent shootings could in any way be linked to 21 other sniper shootings taking place near the interstate's in Columbus, Ohio. More on that when 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