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CNN Sunday Morning
FBI Profiler Called in to Assist Investigation of D.C. Shooting Spree
Aired October 06, 2002 - 11:32 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: We're watching developments today in the shooting spree investigation near the nation's capital. Authorities say an FBI profiler has been called into the case that has left many or as many as -- rather, that has left many, including six dead and one wounded across Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Police are also following hundreds of leads to try to catch the killer. CNN's Bob Constantini is covering the story from Montgomery County, Maryland, and he joins us with the very latest. Hi, Bob.
BOB CONSTANTINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.
Another sad chapter in this case is playing itself out today as the first funeral is being held. Prenkumar Wallekar, 54 years old, is being remembered at a funeral ceremony in a church in Takoma Park, Maryland, just outside Washington. He had just celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary and leaves behind not only a wife but an adult son and daughter.
Prenkumar Wallekar was the taxi driver who was slain as he was filling up his vehicle at one of the gas stations Thursday morning. He is a native of India, who came to the United States 30 years ago and he was the third person slain in this shooting spree.
Meanwhile, Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose came out and spoke with reporters earlier this morning. He has become a sort of national figure in all of this, not only briefing the media but also trying to update the very skittish people who are here in this county and wondering what the very latest is.
Now, the chief emphasized that despite having received what are believed to be over 700 credible leads, that the police are checking them out but they want to hear more.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND POLICE: We remain convinced that someone in our community knows who is engaged in this, is aware that they haven't been around, is aware that they've been acting differently, that they've altered their schedule, that they may be gloating. So we want to talk to people, because, again, we're not convinced we've talked to the right people yet because we don't have anyone in custody.
(END VIDEO CLIP) CONSTANTINI: Meanwhile, we learned that ballistic tests have shown that a woman in Virginia who was shot Friday afternoon, that the bullets outside a crafts store in Fredericksburg, Virginia, halfway between Washington and Richmond, the bullet came from the same gun used in at least three of the fatal sniper attacks here in Montgomery County and one in Washington. Police also believe the same gunman killed two others in the shooting spree that started Wednesday night.
The woman in Virginia is in serious but stable condition. Police do not want to release her name because they consider her a witness, though, they have spoken with her. And right now, the police at this point tell us they have little to go on at this moment except for the white truck, a boxy white truck that was seen fleeing one of the shooting scenes on Thursday morning. Beyond that, they say they do not have much as far as getting to a suspect in this case -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And, Bob, the Virginia woman, is her condition improving?
CONSTANTINI: Her condition is stabilized at this point, but police, again, have been able to talk with her and they really believe that she may be able to tell them something she may have seen where the shot came from. The bullet passed through her body, and so she is, of course, lucky to be alive, considering, of course, what happened to the other victims in this case -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Bob Constantini, thank you very much, from Montgomery County, Maryland.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Shooting Spree>
Aired October 6, 2002 - 11:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: We're watching developments today in the shooting spree investigation near the nation's capital. Authorities say an FBI profiler has been called into the case that has left many or as many as -- rather, that has left many, including six dead and one wounded across Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Police are also following hundreds of leads to try to catch the killer. CNN's Bob Constantini is covering the story from Montgomery County, Maryland, and he joins us with the very latest. Hi, Bob.
BOB CONSTANTINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.
Another sad chapter in this case is playing itself out today as the first funeral is being held. Prenkumar Wallekar, 54 years old, is being remembered at a funeral ceremony in a church in Takoma Park, Maryland, just outside Washington. He had just celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary and leaves behind not only a wife but an adult son and daughter.
Prenkumar Wallekar was the taxi driver who was slain as he was filling up his vehicle at one of the gas stations Thursday morning. He is a native of India, who came to the United States 30 years ago and he was the third person slain in this shooting spree.
Meanwhile, Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose came out and spoke with reporters earlier this morning. He has become a sort of national figure in all of this, not only briefing the media but also trying to update the very skittish people who are here in this county and wondering what the very latest is.
Now, the chief emphasized that despite having received what are believed to be over 700 credible leads, that the police are checking them out but they want to hear more.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND POLICE: We remain convinced that someone in our community knows who is engaged in this, is aware that they haven't been around, is aware that they've been acting differently, that they've altered their schedule, that they may be gloating. So we want to talk to people, because, again, we're not convinced we've talked to the right people yet because we don't have anyone in custody.
(END VIDEO CLIP) CONSTANTINI: Meanwhile, we learned that ballistic tests have shown that a woman in Virginia who was shot Friday afternoon, that the bullets outside a crafts store in Fredericksburg, Virginia, halfway between Washington and Richmond, the bullet came from the same gun used in at least three of the fatal sniper attacks here in Montgomery County and one in Washington. Police also believe the same gunman killed two others in the shooting spree that started Wednesday night.
The woman in Virginia is in serious but stable condition. Police do not want to release her name because they consider her a witness, though, they have spoken with her. And right now, the police at this point tell us they have little to go on at this moment except for the white truck, a boxy white truck that was seen fleeing one of the shooting scenes on Thursday morning. Beyond that, they say they do not have much as far as getting to a suspect in this case -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And, Bob, the Virginia woman, is her condition improving?
CONSTANTINI: Her condition is stabilized at this point, but police, again, have been able to talk with her and they really believe that she may be able to tell them something she may have seen where the shot came from. The bullet passed through her body, and so she is, of course, lucky to be alive, considering, of course, what happened to the other victims in this case -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Bob Constantini, thank you very much, from Montgomery County, Maryland.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Shooting Spree>
