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CNN Live Saturday
Interview With Doug Duncan
Aired October 12, 2002 - 18:03 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: With law enforcement on high alert all across the Washington area, Virginia's governor said today the eyes and ears of the public are some of the best assets to police.
Let's bring in CNN's Bill Hemmer. He's been following the story all day for us from Montgomery County, Maryland. How's it going, Bill?
BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, hello and good afternoon again to you. Listen, it was just about 30 minutes ago where we finally got to see that graphic aid that was talked about for the first time yesterday morning -- Friday morning -- almost a day and a half ago.
It came out in the form of what is considered two composites. Now these are photographs that we're going to show you but the police chief stresses that it's a composite. It's a collection of memory based on a number of eye witnesses who may have seen or been around the scene of various shootings only in Montgomery County. Quite interesting.
They went through a number of items that they found with a common link between the eye witnesses that may give people in the community a better idea and a better understanding of what they're looking for.
Listen to the chief and how he described the different characteristics onboard this truck.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES MOOSE, POLICE CHIEF, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND: It is a graphic of the box truck vehicle from the shootings in Montgomery County. After working diligently with victims of this case these are the graphics that have been prepared.
We want to stress that this is a composite and is not a photograph. It is compared much in the same way many of you are dealing with -- used to dealing with composites that we hand out of people.
So please understand it is not a photograph of the truck. It has been modified, it has been retouched and it is very close to what the witnesses tell us from their memory.
But, again, it is a composite -- it is not a photograph. It does have a roll up door in the rear. And the damage to the rear bumper is very difficult to see in the composite but it is indented. And we want to stress that it may be hard to visualize on a composite but there is damage to the right rear.
The vehicle has oxidized paint. And we want to stress that there is no gleam or sheen ...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: That's the word from the police chief. In addition to that there is lettering -- unknown lettering -- some type of wording on the side of this truck. In fact, you can see it quite clearly -- a long line of block lettering that is bold. And below it another series of block letters that is not quite as large as the top line.
Two lines apparently described by a number of witnesses here in Montgomery County. No license tag number given either.
In addition to this the chief says they are still on the hunt right now for that Astro van that was described in Fredericksburg, Virginia yesterday morning apparently spotted by at least one person, maybe more, leaving the scene of the latest shooting.
That was 9:30 a.m. Friday morning -- the 10th victim -- eighth person shot and killed by this serial sniper.
Again, we want to stress -- the information put out today only comes from Montgomery County, not Prince George's, not Prince William, not the D.C. area and not Spotsylvania County south and west of the nation's capital.
Let's talk more about it with Doug Duncan, Montgomery County executive, who joins us now live here in Rockville, Maryland to talk about the sketch, what was put out, the photograph, et cetera.
Good evening to you.
DOUG DUNCAN, EXECUTIVE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND: Good evening.
HEMMER: How can this help?
DUNCAN: It can help jog somebody's memory. It can help someone look at that and say, "OK -- I know a truck like that. I know a truck that's been parked at an industrial site, behind a warehouse or something. Somebody should go check out that truck."
So we feel that giving people a picture of what we're looking for even though we don't have the exact lettering, we don't have the license plate and other things we feel this will help people as they help us find out who is doing this.
The calls we've gotten have been tremendous in terms of tips and leads from the public. They're doing their part. We're giving them some things to help them do their part even better. HEMMER: And the definitive question right now regarding this evidence that has come out -- are you convinced that a truck similar to this one has been involved at least in the shootings in Montgomery County? Or is there a possibility that it's not involved -- that you might be taking eye witnesses and residents in the wrong area?
DUNCAN: Well, we have seen -- I shouldn't say we -- witnesses -- multiple witnesses have identified this particular truck at multiple shooting sites in Montgomery County and we put this out the first day.
No one has come forward and said, "Hey -- that was my truck. I heard a shot. I sped away because I got nervous."
We're still looking for the truck. We still want to find out who was in there. Who was in the truck driving it so that we can talk to them and pursue them if they're involved and clear it and say, "Quit looking at the truck if they're not involved."
HEMMER: Help us understand this then. Draw the line of difference between this description for this vehicle in Montgomery County and what we saw yesterday with the Astro van.
Have you taken this photograph down to the folks in Fredericksburg, Virginia and said, "Is this the vehicle you saw yesterday?"
DUNCAN: It's two different vehicles.
HEMMER: Completely?
DUNCAN: Two different vehicles. We're looking for a GM Astro van -- Chevy Astro van -- with a ladder on top. And we're working on a composite of that and we're looking for this white box truck that came out of Montgomery County.
HEMMER: What does that say then about this investigation right now?
DUNCAN: Well, it says that we are looking to the public to help us find who is doing this. We're asking the public to participate as they have since the first day in giving us tips and giving us leads.
We're trying to do what we can to help refresh somebody's memory, get them to think twice about something and then call and say, "Oh, yeah -- I know that truck. Here's where you should look."
HEMMER: Tell me this -- how much deliberation went into the consideration -- the decisions you made prior to releasing this photograph?
It was largely thought that we would get it yesterday morning and it was delayed about a day and a half.
DUNCAN: It was delayed because the artwork took longer than we thought and we wanted to make sure that the witnesses had time to review this before we put it out. So the artist talked to the witnesses, drew the composite and then go back to the witnesses and say, "Is this what -- did we get it right?"
And we want to make sure that we're as accurate as possible when we put that out. That's what the delay was about. Once the decision was made to put it out -- which was awhile ago -- it's get it done as quickly as possible and get it out there.
HEMMER: Can you give us an indication how many witnesses you went to for this description?
DUNCAN: Multiple. More than one is what they said and more than one location.
HEMMER: A half a dozen?
DUNCAN: I can't say.
HEMMER: OK -- at this point then you've got a community that's essentially shut in. Let's move away from the truck for a second here.
What do you tell the folks living here in Rockville?
DUNCAN: Well, we're not shut in. We're not paralyzed. We're not in a state of panic by any stretch of the imagination.
I was out and about Montgomery County most of the day today going to restaurants, going to shopping centers, just talking to people throughout the county and thanking them for being out, thanking them from getting on with their normal routine.
Now clearly they are not lingering in front of store fronts. They are moving quickly, they are walking quickly, they are being as careful and as cautious as they can be, which is what they should be doing.
But they're still doing the things they need to do to try keep as normal a routine, to live their daily lives as best they can.
HEMMER: Well, I wish you the best of luck.
DUNCAN: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: You've always been good to us and given us time and it's -- I know often times the answer are quite elusive. But ...
DUNCAN: They're working very hard and it's impressive -- the law enforcement operation, the unprecedented cooperation that's going on here. And when he catch him and all of this is detailed the public is going to be very proud of what's happened.
HEMMER: Thank you, Doug.
DUNCAN: Thank you. HEMMER: Doug Duncan, Montgomery County executive here.
In a moment, as Doug referred to, about the people and how they go on with their lives -- in a moment we'll talk with an anxiety expert about essentially how people are impacted right now -- now Day 10, Anderson, as we mentioned -- working quickly on Day 11. Back to you.
COOPER: All right -- thanks, Bill.
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 12, 2002 - 18:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: With law enforcement on high alert all across the Washington area, Virginia's governor said today the eyes and ears of the public are some of the best assets to police.
Let's bring in CNN's Bill Hemmer. He's been following the story all day for us from Montgomery County, Maryland. How's it going, Bill?
BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, hello and good afternoon again to you. Listen, it was just about 30 minutes ago where we finally got to see that graphic aid that was talked about for the first time yesterday morning -- Friday morning -- almost a day and a half ago.
It came out in the form of what is considered two composites. Now these are photographs that we're going to show you but the police chief stresses that it's a composite. It's a collection of memory based on a number of eye witnesses who may have seen or been around the scene of various shootings only in Montgomery County. Quite interesting.
They went through a number of items that they found with a common link between the eye witnesses that may give people in the community a better idea and a better understanding of what they're looking for.
Listen to the chief and how he described the different characteristics onboard this truck.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES MOOSE, POLICE CHIEF, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND: It is a graphic of the box truck vehicle from the shootings in Montgomery County. After working diligently with victims of this case these are the graphics that have been prepared.
We want to stress that this is a composite and is not a photograph. It is compared much in the same way many of you are dealing with -- used to dealing with composites that we hand out of people.
So please understand it is not a photograph of the truck. It has been modified, it has been retouched and it is very close to what the witnesses tell us from their memory.
But, again, it is a composite -- it is not a photograph. It does have a roll up door in the rear. And the damage to the rear bumper is very difficult to see in the composite but it is indented. And we want to stress that it may be hard to visualize on a composite but there is damage to the right rear.
The vehicle has oxidized paint. And we want to stress that there is no gleam or sheen ...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: That's the word from the police chief. In addition to that there is lettering -- unknown lettering -- some type of wording on the side of this truck. In fact, you can see it quite clearly -- a long line of block lettering that is bold. And below it another series of block letters that is not quite as large as the top line.
Two lines apparently described by a number of witnesses here in Montgomery County. No license tag number given either.
In addition to this the chief says they are still on the hunt right now for that Astro van that was described in Fredericksburg, Virginia yesterday morning apparently spotted by at least one person, maybe more, leaving the scene of the latest shooting.
That was 9:30 a.m. Friday morning -- the 10th victim -- eighth person shot and killed by this serial sniper.
Again, we want to stress -- the information put out today only comes from Montgomery County, not Prince George's, not Prince William, not the D.C. area and not Spotsylvania County south and west of the nation's capital.
Let's talk more about it with Doug Duncan, Montgomery County executive, who joins us now live here in Rockville, Maryland to talk about the sketch, what was put out, the photograph, et cetera.
Good evening to you.
DOUG DUNCAN, EXECUTIVE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND: Good evening.
HEMMER: How can this help?
DUNCAN: It can help jog somebody's memory. It can help someone look at that and say, "OK -- I know a truck like that. I know a truck that's been parked at an industrial site, behind a warehouse or something. Somebody should go check out that truck."
So we feel that giving people a picture of what we're looking for even though we don't have the exact lettering, we don't have the license plate and other things we feel this will help people as they help us find out who is doing this.
The calls we've gotten have been tremendous in terms of tips and leads from the public. They're doing their part. We're giving them some things to help them do their part even better. HEMMER: And the definitive question right now regarding this evidence that has come out -- are you convinced that a truck similar to this one has been involved at least in the shootings in Montgomery County? Or is there a possibility that it's not involved -- that you might be taking eye witnesses and residents in the wrong area?
DUNCAN: Well, we have seen -- I shouldn't say we -- witnesses -- multiple witnesses have identified this particular truck at multiple shooting sites in Montgomery County and we put this out the first day.
No one has come forward and said, "Hey -- that was my truck. I heard a shot. I sped away because I got nervous."
We're still looking for the truck. We still want to find out who was in there. Who was in the truck driving it so that we can talk to them and pursue them if they're involved and clear it and say, "Quit looking at the truck if they're not involved."
HEMMER: Help us understand this then. Draw the line of difference between this description for this vehicle in Montgomery County and what we saw yesterday with the Astro van.
Have you taken this photograph down to the folks in Fredericksburg, Virginia and said, "Is this the vehicle you saw yesterday?"
DUNCAN: It's two different vehicles.
HEMMER: Completely?
DUNCAN: Two different vehicles. We're looking for a GM Astro van -- Chevy Astro van -- with a ladder on top. And we're working on a composite of that and we're looking for this white box truck that came out of Montgomery County.
HEMMER: What does that say then about this investigation right now?
DUNCAN: Well, it says that we are looking to the public to help us find who is doing this. We're asking the public to participate as they have since the first day in giving us tips and giving us leads.
We're trying to do what we can to help refresh somebody's memory, get them to think twice about something and then call and say, "Oh, yeah -- I know that truck. Here's where you should look."
HEMMER: Tell me this -- how much deliberation went into the consideration -- the decisions you made prior to releasing this photograph?
It was largely thought that we would get it yesterday morning and it was delayed about a day and a half.
DUNCAN: It was delayed because the artwork took longer than we thought and we wanted to make sure that the witnesses had time to review this before we put it out. So the artist talked to the witnesses, drew the composite and then go back to the witnesses and say, "Is this what -- did we get it right?"
And we want to make sure that we're as accurate as possible when we put that out. That's what the delay was about. Once the decision was made to put it out -- which was awhile ago -- it's get it done as quickly as possible and get it out there.
HEMMER: Can you give us an indication how many witnesses you went to for this description?
DUNCAN: Multiple. More than one is what they said and more than one location.
HEMMER: A half a dozen?
DUNCAN: I can't say.
HEMMER: OK -- at this point then you've got a community that's essentially shut in. Let's move away from the truck for a second here.
What do you tell the folks living here in Rockville?
DUNCAN: Well, we're not shut in. We're not paralyzed. We're not in a state of panic by any stretch of the imagination.
I was out and about Montgomery County most of the day today going to restaurants, going to shopping centers, just talking to people throughout the county and thanking them for being out, thanking them from getting on with their normal routine.
Now clearly they are not lingering in front of store fronts. They are moving quickly, they are walking quickly, they are being as careful and as cautious as they can be, which is what they should be doing.
But they're still doing the things they need to do to try keep as normal a routine, to live their daily lives as best they can.
HEMMER: Well, I wish you the best of luck.
DUNCAN: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: You've always been good to us and given us time and it's -- I know often times the answer are quite elusive. But ...
DUNCAN: They're working very hard and it's impressive -- the law enforcement operation, the unprecedented cooperation that's going on here. And when he catch him and all of this is detailed the public is going to be very proud of what's happened.
HEMMER: Thank you, Doug.
DUNCAN: Thank you. HEMMER: Doug Duncan, Montgomery County executive here.
In a moment, as Doug referred to, about the people and how they go on with their lives -- in a moment we'll talk with an anxiety expert about essentially how people are impacted right now -- now Day 10, Anderson, as we mentioned -- working quickly on Day 11. Back to you.
COOPER: All right -- thanks, Bill.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
