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CNN Live Sunday
2 Shootings In Central Ohio Linked, So Far
Aired November 30, 2003 - 18:36 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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in central Ohio don't have conclusive proof that 11 shootings near the stretch of I-270 are connected. Ballistic tests have only linked two of them. And now, hunting season is beginning.
Our Kris Osborn is in Columbus. Kris, are police worried that people are going to hear a lot of gun shots, get confused and then maybe swamp the tip lines?
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well that's exactly it. Good evening to you, Martin.
In fact, Chief Martin just spoke specifically about the beginning of hunting season and cautioned people to be extra vigilant about the presence of more guns during the beginning of hunting season, and in addition to that, to be on the lookout for suspicious people.
As you mentioned, they have no motive. They have no specific suspect, and they're being very tightlipped.
But this evening, there was a more optimistic tone among Franklin County investigators, with one of them saying to me, "baby steps is how I would describe the process of the investigation."
Now, 10 of these shootings - 10 of the 11 - have taken place simply in the past several months, since October 10, all of them along the stretch of I-270, a busy interstate highway on the outskirts of Columbus.
Investigators refuse to speculate as to the identify of who the suspect or suspects may be in these shootings. They wouldn't speculate about motive or about whether the person has a criminal background of any kind.
They did praise public involvement and talk about their tip line and say that many people continue to call in useful information. And by virtue of many of the calls, they've identified or eliminated many people and eliminated many cars and/or possible suspects, by virtue of people calling in.
They were very clear, however, to say, whoever is responsible for these shootings will be held accountable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE MARTIN, CHIEF DEP., FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: We do know that anyone that is willing to shoot at a moving vehicle, occupied by people, most likely traveling at a posted speed of 65 miles per hour, is should and likely - and keenly aware of the consequences of such an action.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
OSBORN: Now, in addition to Chief Martin requesting that the shooter contact authorities, this afternoon Chief Martin specifically offered a post office box address, and asked the shooter or potential shooters to contact authorities. Of course, the hope in this case being, could lead them to more information that might help them solve this.
All the while, I can tell you that I-270 remains pretty busy at some points and less busy at others. Some people feel pretty scared. It's normally a very busy area, and of course, with these random and seemingly inexplicable shootings hitting cars, hitting vans, killing one woman, there certainly is a large degree of caution - Martin.
SAVIDGE: No doubt about that. Kris Osborn in Columbus, thanks very much.
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 November 30, 2003 - 18:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in central Ohio don't have conclusive proof that 11 shootings near the stretch of I-270 are connected. Ballistic tests have only linked two of them. And now, hunting season is beginning.
Our Kris Osborn is in Columbus. Kris, are police worried that people are going to hear a lot of gun shots, get confused and then maybe swamp the tip lines?
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well that's exactly it. Good evening to you, Martin.
In fact, Chief Martin just spoke specifically about the beginning of hunting season and cautioned people to be extra vigilant about the presence of more guns during the beginning of hunting season, and in addition to that, to be on the lookout for suspicious people.
As you mentioned, they have no motive. They have no specific suspect, and they're being very tightlipped.
But this evening, there was a more optimistic tone among Franklin County investigators, with one of them saying to me, "baby steps is how I would describe the process of the investigation."
Now, 10 of these shootings - 10 of the 11 - have taken place simply in the past several months, since October 10, all of them along the stretch of I-270, a busy interstate highway on the outskirts of Columbus.
Investigators refuse to speculate as to the identify of who the suspect or suspects may be in these shootings. They wouldn't speculate about motive or about whether the person has a criminal background of any kind.
They did praise public involvement and talk about their tip line and say that many people continue to call in useful information. And by virtue of many of the calls, they've identified or eliminated many people and eliminated many cars and/or possible suspects, by virtue of people calling in.
They were very clear, however, to say, whoever is responsible for these shootings will be held accountable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE MARTIN, CHIEF DEP., FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: We do know that anyone that is willing to shoot at a moving vehicle, occupied by people, most likely traveling at a posted speed of 65 miles per hour, is should and likely - and keenly aware of the consequences of such an action.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
OSBORN: Now, in addition to Chief Martin requesting that the shooter contact authorities, this afternoon Chief Martin specifically offered a post office box address, and asked the shooter or potential shooters to contact authorities. Of course, the hope in this case being, could lead them to more information that might help them solve this.
All the while, I can tell you that I-270 remains pretty busy at some points and less busy at others. Some people feel pretty scared. It's normally a very busy area, and of course, with these random and seemingly inexplicable shootings hitting cars, hitting vans, killing one woman, there certainly is a large degree of caution - Martin.
SAVIDGE: No doubt about that. Kris Osborn in Columbus, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
