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CNN Live Sunday
Police Continue Search for D.C. Area Sniper
Aired October 13, 2002 - 18:13 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: We turn now to the deadly sniper shootings in the Washington area. They have certainly frayed the nerves of the people there. Officials say they're getting a lot of tips after the release of yesterday's graphic showing a truck which reportedly was seen near at least one of the shootings. Daryn Kagan joins us now live from Montgomery County, Maryland with the latest, Daryn, good evening.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, good evening to you as well. We're going to show you a picture of that composite in just a moment. First I want to report the better news and that is that things have been relatively quiet throughout the weekend since Friday morning. But as you mentioned, this has been no ordinary weekend and that holds true for police as well as ordinary citizens.
First we want to show you what our CNN crews were able to capture with police last night. There is a new sniper alert in effect at least in Prince George's County, and as we go to the pictures, I'll tell you that that was the scene last night, the report that a deceased female had been found with severe trauma to her upper body. The immediate response, federal, state, and local officials that closed roads and interstates and then in the local area they were searching some of the vehicles.
It turns out in this case, this particular case was not related to the sniper shootings, but officials hope that this plan with the new sniper alert will create the quick dragnet situation over a specific area near a sniper attack and that will lead to capture. Of course officials not giving out too many details and we wouldn't want to give you too many details about exactly how it works, but it definitely is not a regular routine when they come upon a dead body in the Washington, D.C. area. So that's the situation for police.
We've also been talking throughout much of the weekend about how ordinary people have been going about their lives, a lot of activities canceled, some still taking place, and we have Patty Davis with us to kind of wrap up what has been happening over the day and also to talk specifically about people trying to be regular parents and kids and as the case may be also regular sports fans.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, and it's hard because you're scared. A lot of people are nervous in the Washington, D.C. area but that does not affect that Washington Redskins game today. It drew about 80,000 fans.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DAVIS (voice over): A big police presence Sunday as the Washington Redskins played the New Orleans Saints in suburban D.C., the sniper still at large.
CAPT. ANDY ELLIS, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY: I can assure you that we have all kind of security numbers here and fans definitely notice it.
DAVIS: What's noticeable in the Washington area, gas stations are empty. Those who have to pump gas are nervous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I kind of caught myself blocking myself with this little fool here so that's why I chose this spot right here.
DAVIS: CNN has learned investigators early last week asked the U.S. Army and Navy to check their records for any current or recently discharged sniper trained personnel who were in the Washington Metropolitan area. According to a senior army official, the search did not turn up any names and there are currently no military related suspects.
Montgomery County Police say they plan to release a composite photo of a white Chevy Astro van like the one here seen near Friday's murder scene in Virginia. Police say their release of this composite of a white box-type truck seen by several witnesses in Maryland has brought in tips. They hope it will jog witness' memories.
CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE: Maybe you weren't near any of the shootings but now that the shootings have occurred, someone wanted that box truck changed from white to gray then we probably would like to talk to that person.
DAVIS: Ten shootings that have left eight people dead are now linked to the sniper.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Besides the description of the white truck and the white van, police are revealing little else. They are holding fewer press conferences than ever. Daryn, police say that they are trying to strike a go between between informing the public, giving the public information about what's going on, yet not wanting to tip off the killer or killers.
KAGAN: And I think we expect the next police news conference, which is taking place just over there at Noon tomorrow, Noon tomorrow. Of course we're showing that live here on CNN. Meanwhile, officials kind of stepping up and saying you know what, we need to get back to a regular routine here. We need to get people back into businesses and it was Maryland's governor today talking about that.
DAVIS: That's right. Well Maryland Governor Parris Glendening was saying today on one of the shows that this is affecting the economy in this region. We have people who are not shopping. They're not going to restaurants and he was urging people, get back out there. Be very aware. Be cautious but you need to keep going about your normal business. It's hurting business in this region.
KAGAN: Yes, can't let this guy win if it is indeed a guy.
DAVIS: That's right.
KAGAN: Patty Davis, thank you so much. And on the topic of what this person is, who this person is, we're going to bring in criminologist Casey Jordan. She's with us right now from our New York Bureau. Casey thanks for joining us.
CASEY JORDAN, CNN CRIMINOLOGIST: Always a pleasure.
KAGAN: Making a lot, we're not making a lot but the main news is that news has not happened over the weekend and that just like last weekend, the sniper has remained quiet. What would you make out of that?
JORDAN: I look at this as the first indicator that we might actually have what we've been looking for all along, a little bit of a pattern. I mean that is why this case is so frustrating to police is because there hasn't been a true pattern yet. But, for the second weekend in a row, we have gone without incident and while you can't jump to conclusions, this could indicate something about the daily routine of the shooter. It suggests that maybe he's occupied with other obligations, family obligations or home life on weekends.
KAGAN: So, I'm sure police are not just asking themselves why does this person pick when he goes but perhaps what kind of opportunity does he have, what other kind of obligations that would keep him from acting?
JORDAN: And obviously people are out and about on weekends even more than they might be during the week, so again if we can get through the weekend without incident, this might be something, again a little too early to tell for sure that it's a pattern, that might indicate something about the person we're looking for.
Also with all these tips coming in, especially about the vehicles, the box truck, the Astro van, depending on what those tips might reveal, this could also indicate something about the driving habits or work habits, the occupation of the shooter. Again, a little too early to jump to conclusions but it seems like things might begin to take shape this week.
KAGAN: Anderson, I understand you have a couple questions for Casey as well.
COOPER: Yes, I'd be curious to know, I mean what surprises you most about these incidences? What really jumps out at you as being either part of a pattern that you recognize or not part of a pattern, particularly unusual about this particular spree of killings?
JORDAN: Two or three things, number one the original spree nature of the shootings had everyone calling this person a spree killer. To see the five initial shootings within two days would have been very consistent with somebody who was kind of spiraling downwards, more of a mass murderer on wheels.
But then to have a brief pause and then a very methodical dispatching of victims over the next week, this is highly unusual. We've never really seen anything like this before and it suggests that the psyche of the shooter has actually evolved into that of a serial killer and not just a spree shooter.
COOPER: Now, I'm also told that with serial killers or spree killers, whatever you want to call them that often they are not as focused on getting away, on escaping. That is sort of almost an afterthought for many of them. But with these incidences, escape seems to be a high priority for this person or persons. Does that ring true to you?
JORDAN: Yes, Anderson, that's what makes this case so unusual. A spree killer is very often a mass murderer who's simply mobile. They very often have the suicidal tendencies of the mass murderer acting in one violent outburst based on a very specific thing, whether it be revenge or getting attention, and usually it's over very quickly and they expect to get caught and very often that's why they dispatch themselves.
Serial killers on the other hand are by definition successful. They want to get away with it. They don't want to get caught. They want it to continue as long as possible and that is, again, why this case has become extremely frightening for the community is because this killer is taking great pains to taunt the police, to scare the public and to get away.
KAGAN: Casey, we've also been using the term sniper rather loosely, but I understand some people would point out to say, you know, that's almost a generous term that he might be an OK shot but with a decent amount of equipment and a certain amount of practice that this guy just might be a good shot and sniper might not be the right term.
JORDAN: Not only may it not be the right term, but it may be exactly what he wants to be called. I'm certainly not a weapons expert, but I talked to enough experts who say that a shot at 100 years is really not that much of an accomplishment based on what we think the weapon is. This is a person who could be self trained in the woods behind his home. He may never have had any contact with the military or law enforcement.
So, to call him a sniper is actually a compliment. It may be part of the power and control, the whole concept that he thinks he's got and to call him a sniper may just be walking right into his trap.
KAGAN: All right, Casey Jordan in New York. Casey, thank you so much for your insight this evening. We really appreciate it. And, Anderson, I'm going to toss it back to you. The thing we're looking for to the most, the Noon briefing tomorrow, also the possible release, as Patty mentioned, of the next vehicle composite and that would be of the white Chevy Astro van.
COOPER: All right, Daryn Kagan thanks very much. It's been a long day for you, appreciate you joining us.
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 13, 2002 - 18:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We turn now to the deadly sniper shootings in the Washington area. They have certainly frayed the nerves of the people there. Officials say they're getting a lot of tips after the release of yesterday's graphic showing a truck which reportedly was seen near at least one of the shootings. Daryn Kagan joins us now live from Montgomery County, Maryland with the latest, Daryn, good evening.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, good evening to you as well. We're going to show you a picture of that composite in just a moment. First I want to report the better news and that is that things have been relatively quiet throughout the weekend since Friday morning. But as you mentioned, this has been no ordinary weekend and that holds true for police as well as ordinary citizens.
First we want to show you what our CNN crews were able to capture with police last night. There is a new sniper alert in effect at least in Prince George's County, and as we go to the pictures, I'll tell you that that was the scene last night, the report that a deceased female had been found with severe trauma to her upper body. The immediate response, federal, state, and local officials that closed roads and interstates and then in the local area they were searching some of the vehicles.
It turns out in this case, this particular case was not related to the sniper shootings, but officials hope that this plan with the new sniper alert will create the quick dragnet situation over a specific area near a sniper attack and that will lead to capture. Of course officials not giving out too many details and we wouldn't want to give you too many details about exactly how it works, but it definitely is not a regular routine when they come upon a dead body in the Washington, D.C. area. So that's the situation for police.
We've also been talking throughout much of the weekend about how ordinary people have been going about their lives, a lot of activities canceled, some still taking place, and we have Patty Davis with us to kind of wrap up what has been happening over the day and also to talk specifically about people trying to be regular parents and kids and as the case may be also regular sports fans.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, and it's hard because you're scared. A lot of people are nervous in the Washington, D.C. area but that does not affect that Washington Redskins game today. It drew about 80,000 fans.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DAVIS (voice over): A big police presence Sunday as the Washington Redskins played the New Orleans Saints in suburban D.C., the sniper still at large.
CAPT. ANDY ELLIS, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY: I can assure you that we have all kind of security numbers here and fans definitely notice it.
DAVIS: What's noticeable in the Washington area, gas stations are empty. Those who have to pump gas are nervous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I kind of caught myself blocking myself with this little fool here so that's why I chose this spot right here.
DAVIS: CNN has learned investigators early last week asked the U.S. Army and Navy to check their records for any current or recently discharged sniper trained personnel who were in the Washington Metropolitan area. According to a senior army official, the search did not turn up any names and there are currently no military related suspects.
Montgomery County Police say they plan to release a composite photo of a white Chevy Astro van like the one here seen near Friday's murder scene in Virginia. Police say their release of this composite of a white box-type truck seen by several witnesses in Maryland has brought in tips. They hope it will jog witness' memories.
CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE: Maybe you weren't near any of the shootings but now that the shootings have occurred, someone wanted that box truck changed from white to gray then we probably would like to talk to that person.
DAVIS: Ten shootings that have left eight people dead are now linked to the sniper.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Besides the description of the white truck and the white van, police are revealing little else. They are holding fewer press conferences than ever. Daryn, police say that they are trying to strike a go between between informing the public, giving the public information about what's going on, yet not wanting to tip off the killer or killers.
KAGAN: And I think we expect the next police news conference, which is taking place just over there at Noon tomorrow, Noon tomorrow. Of course we're showing that live here on CNN. Meanwhile, officials kind of stepping up and saying you know what, we need to get back to a regular routine here. We need to get people back into businesses and it was Maryland's governor today talking about that.
DAVIS: That's right. Well Maryland Governor Parris Glendening was saying today on one of the shows that this is affecting the economy in this region. We have people who are not shopping. They're not going to restaurants and he was urging people, get back out there. Be very aware. Be cautious but you need to keep going about your normal business. It's hurting business in this region.
KAGAN: Yes, can't let this guy win if it is indeed a guy.
DAVIS: That's right.
KAGAN: Patty Davis, thank you so much. And on the topic of what this person is, who this person is, we're going to bring in criminologist Casey Jordan. She's with us right now from our New York Bureau. Casey thanks for joining us.
CASEY JORDAN, CNN CRIMINOLOGIST: Always a pleasure.
KAGAN: Making a lot, we're not making a lot but the main news is that news has not happened over the weekend and that just like last weekend, the sniper has remained quiet. What would you make out of that?
JORDAN: I look at this as the first indicator that we might actually have what we've been looking for all along, a little bit of a pattern. I mean that is why this case is so frustrating to police is because there hasn't been a true pattern yet. But, for the second weekend in a row, we have gone without incident and while you can't jump to conclusions, this could indicate something about the daily routine of the shooter. It suggests that maybe he's occupied with other obligations, family obligations or home life on weekends.
KAGAN: So, I'm sure police are not just asking themselves why does this person pick when he goes but perhaps what kind of opportunity does he have, what other kind of obligations that would keep him from acting?
JORDAN: And obviously people are out and about on weekends even more than they might be during the week, so again if we can get through the weekend without incident, this might be something, again a little too early to tell for sure that it's a pattern, that might indicate something about the person we're looking for.
Also with all these tips coming in, especially about the vehicles, the box truck, the Astro van, depending on what those tips might reveal, this could also indicate something about the driving habits or work habits, the occupation of the shooter. Again, a little too early to jump to conclusions but it seems like things might begin to take shape this week.
KAGAN: Anderson, I understand you have a couple questions for Casey as well.
COOPER: Yes, I'd be curious to know, I mean what surprises you most about these incidences? What really jumps out at you as being either part of a pattern that you recognize or not part of a pattern, particularly unusual about this particular spree of killings?
JORDAN: Two or three things, number one the original spree nature of the shootings had everyone calling this person a spree killer. To see the five initial shootings within two days would have been very consistent with somebody who was kind of spiraling downwards, more of a mass murderer on wheels.
But then to have a brief pause and then a very methodical dispatching of victims over the next week, this is highly unusual. We've never really seen anything like this before and it suggests that the psyche of the shooter has actually evolved into that of a serial killer and not just a spree shooter.
COOPER: Now, I'm also told that with serial killers or spree killers, whatever you want to call them that often they are not as focused on getting away, on escaping. That is sort of almost an afterthought for many of them. But with these incidences, escape seems to be a high priority for this person or persons. Does that ring true to you?
JORDAN: Yes, Anderson, that's what makes this case so unusual. A spree killer is very often a mass murderer who's simply mobile. They very often have the suicidal tendencies of the mass murderer acting in one violent outburst based on a very specific thing, whether it be revenge or getting attention, and usually it's over very quickly and they expect to get caught and very often that's why they dispatch themselves.
Serial killers on the other hand are by definition successful. They want to get away with it. They don't want to get caught. They want it to continue as long as possible and that is, again, why this case has become extremely frightening for the community is because this killer is taking great pains to taunt the police, to scare the public and to get away.
KAGAN: Casey, we've also been using the term sniper rather loosely, but I understand some people would point out to say, you know, that's almost a generous term that he might be an OK shot but with a decent amount of equipment and a certain amount of practice that this guy just might be a good shot and sniper might not be the right term.
JORDAN: Not only may it not be the right term, but it may be exactly what he wants to be called. I'm certainly not a weapons expert, but I talked to enough experts who say that a shot at 100 years is really not that much of an accomplishment based on what we think the weapon is. This is a person who could be self trained in the woods behind his home. He may never have had any contact with the military or law enforcement.
So, to call him a sniper is actually a compliment. It may be part of the power and control, the whole concept that he thinks he's got and to call him a sniper may just be walking right into his trap.
KAGAN: All right, Casey Jordan in New York. Casey, thank you so much for your insight this evening. We really appreciate it. And, Anderson, I'm going to toss it back to you. The thing we're looking for to the most, the Noon briefing tomorrow, also the possible release, as Patty mentioned, of the next vehicle composite and that would be of the white Chevy Astro van.
COOPER: All right, Daryn Kagan thanks very much. It's been a long day for you, appreciate you joining us.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
