October 21, 2002
6:42 AM Subscribe
Sniper Suspect Arrested in Richmond, VA
Police have surrounded a local gas station, and taken one person into custody for questioning. Individual was arrested at an Exxon station, making a pay phone call from a white van. No news links yet on local, national sites, but local tv interrupted programming to broadcast live. Press conference will happen shortly.
Police have surrounded a local gas station, and taken one person into custody for questioning. Individual was arrested at an Exxon station, making a pay phone call from a white van. No news links yet on local, national sites, but local tv interrupted programming to broadcast live. Press conference will happen shortly.
This post was deleted for the following reason:
It's breaking news, give him a break.
How many of us got our news from MeFi on Sept 11th?
posted by bondcliff at 6:45 AM on October 21, 2002
How many of us got our news from MeFi on Sept 11th?
posted by bondcliff at 6:45 AM on October 21, 2002
I'm only catching bits and pieces here on local radio. Despite the advent of weblogs and instant publishing, it's still easier to get breaking news from the "grapevine" (i.e. tv and radio) than it is to find it on the web.
posted by junkbox at 6:46 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by junkbox at 6:46 AM on October 21, 2002
It's being broadcast live on local televison stations.
posted by bullitt 5 at 6:46 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by bullitt 5 at 6:46 AM on October 21, 2002
Wow. Don't want to jump to any conclusions, but it sounds like they finally got the guy. So it's just one? I need to get to a TV :-\
posted by Stauf at 6:46 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by Stauf at 6:46 AM on October 21, 2002
Headline here, but nothng else.
Oh please, oh please, oh please...
posted by JoanArkham at 6:46 AM on October 21, 2002
Oh please, oh please, oh please...
posted by JoanArkham at 6:46 AM on October 21, 2002
Just saying that without posting a source, this post is useless. At least say 'I'm watching this on NBC 4 in DC.' There have been plenty of false leads in this case, so it helps to know your source. Regardless, this is good news. I'm a DC metro. area resident.
posted by drobot at 6:50 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by drobot at 6:50 AM on October 21, 2002
It's at the corner of Parham Road and Broad Street in Richmond. A car dealership next door to the Exxon station was swarming with undercover cops in waiting. This happened at 8:30 am this morning. I'm tuned to a TV station that simulcasts on FM, and can provide updates as they occur. From what I have heard, a man in a white Dodge Caravan pulled up to the phone booth, and was surrounded by waiting police.
posted by machaus at 6:58 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by machaus at 6:58 AM on October 21, 2002
Here's a link http://www.nbc4.com/news/1730682/detail.html
posted by drobot at 7:01 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by drobot at 7:01 AM on October 21, 2002
I'm watching NBC 12 in Richmond. Here are some other details I've heard/seen from the newscast.
Van is a white Plymouth mini van with a roof rack (but not a ladder rack)
News conference from Montgomery County, MD will happen at 10:00 am
FBI and forensics experts on the scene, and lots of police (obviously)
Main thoroughfare (Broad St.) closed down and police have gas station cordoned off.
Obviously, we don't know this is "the guy" but, judging from police presence, people are taking this seriously
posted by bullitt 5 at 7:01 AM on October 21, 2002
Van is a white Plymouth mini van with a roof rack (but not a ladder rack)
News conference from Montgomery County, MD will happen at 10:00 am
FBI and forensics experts on the scene, and lots of police (obviously)
Main thoroughfare (Broad St.) closed down and police have gas station cordoned off.
Obviously, we don't know this is "the guy" but, judging from police presence, people are taking this seriously
posted by bullitt 5 at 7:01 AM on October 21, 2002
It's breaking news, give him a break. How many of us got our news from MeFi on Sept 11th?
"September 11th: It's the new Godwin!" For crying out loud, this is hardly on a par with September 11th, and certainly no reason to suspend normal posting guidelines. It was a whopping four minutes between the original post and someone actually doing something even vaguely related to MetFi's purpose. "NewsFilter," indeed...
posted by JollyWanker at 7:02 AM on October 21, 2002
"September 11th: It's the new Godwin!" For crying out loud, this is hardly on a par with September 11th, and certainly no reason to suspend normal posting guidelines. It was a whopping four minutes between the original post and someone actually doing something even vaguely related to MetFi's purpose. "NewsFilter," indeed...
posted by JollyWanker at 7:02 AM on October 21, 2002
Look, it's not NewsFilter, for crying out loud. Part of what brought me to metafilter was (what i figured to be) a concise look at the national mood. (Metafilter as Mood Ring) So the nation is paralyzed by this sniper, and he might be caught... and that's not worthy of a post? Do you even get the internet in the cave where you live?
posted by krewson at 7:06 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by krewson at 7:06 AM on October 21, 2002
Thanks for the news, bullitt. It was the first I heard. This is what I, at least, come to metafilter for.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:08 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:08 AM on October 21, 2002
...was surrounded by waiting police...
If this is correct, it would indicate they might have had the suspect under surveillence for some time...
Pancakes, maybe the rare useful pancakes (I'm at work w/ no TV)...
posted by Shane at 7:08 AM on October 21, 2002
If this is correct, it would indicate they might have had the suspect under surveillence for some time...
Pancakes, maybe the rare useful pancakes (I'm at work w/ no TV)...
posted by Shane at 7:08 AM on October 21, 2002
they might have had the suspect under surveillence for some time...
The local news interviewed employees at the car dealership next door. They were informed by undercover when they arrived at work this morning to go inside the dealership and lay low.
posted by machaus at 7:11 AM on October 21, 2002
The local news interviewed employees at the car dealership next door. They were informed by undercover when they arrived at work this morning to go inside the dealership and lay low.
posted by machaus at 7:11 AM on October 21, 2002
This could be another false lead, like the reports of the man shot in a domestic violence dispute who was arrested in a white van and allegedly had sniper manuals in his home.
However, it sounds like the person in the white van waited for police at that location, which suggests that it might have been the sniper placing a call to the number he left for police and negotiating a surrender in a public place so he wouldn't be gunned down.
posted by rcade at 7:11 AM on October 21, 2002
However, it sounds like the person in the white van waited for police at that location, which suggests that it might have been the sniper placing a call to the number he left for police and negotiating a surrender in a public place so he wouldn't be gunned down.
posted by rcade at 7:11 AM on October 21, 2002
Matt will probably kill the thread, but in the meantime thanks for the updates (again, work, no tv, internet is trying to catch up...) I live in Alexandria and my financee works just a stone's throw from I-95 in Springfield, so this definitely hits "close to home."
CNN's take on it (being updated as news comes in.) Same for the Washington Post.
Sounds like they might have been casing the phone booth rather than the person. Maybe.
Do you even get the internet in the cave where you live?
No.
posted by arco at 7:12 AM on October 21, 2002
CNN's take on it (being updated as news comes in.) Same for the Washington Post.
Sounds like they might have been casing the phone booth rather than the person. Maybe.
Do you even get the internet in the cave where you live?
No.
posted by arco at 7:12 AM on October 21, 2002
I'm listening online. There's a guy from the car dealership talking. He said the police were watching the phonebooth, and a white van pulled up. It was one of those drive-up thingies. He sat at the phone for 15 minutes before other police came and pulled him out.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:13 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:13 AM on October 21, 2002
They just had Chief Moose show up at a press conference saying that he wanted the media to relay that "the message has been rececived, and we are formulating our response." Then he left. That's it.
I'm guessing the guy who they caught was carrying a message for the police.
This is turning into a movie.
posted by tittergrrl at 7:13 AM on October 21, 2002
I'm guessing the guy who they caught was carrying a message for the police.
This is turning into a movie.
posted by tittergrrl at 7:13 AM on October 21, 2002
this is hardly on a par with September 11th, and certainly no reason to suspend normal posting guidelines.
agreed. typical terror hysteria. ever since 9/11, all it takes is the hint of trouble and people are flying off the handle. sniper shooting people in the white suburbs! call out the armed forces! i can't wait until this crap is over with and i get a chance to see exactly how many drive-by's went unreported in the face of all this suburban hand-wringing and media and law enforcement obsessing. people are being shot every day. here, there, everywhere. nobody gives a shit. but let the media mention "terrorism" in connection with this lone whacko and all the country goes gaga. give me a break. i would NEVER have beleived the american populace was so frigging STUPID.
krewson: what i figured to be) a concise look at the national mood.
bzzzt. no cigar. i beleive the major news sites already cover that quite adequately.
posted by quonsar at 7:15 AM on October 21, 2002
agreed. typical terror hysteria. ever since 9/11, all it takes is the hint of trouble and people are flying off the handle. sniper shooting people in the white suburbs! call out the armed forces! i can't wait until this crap is over with and i get a chance to see exactly how many drive-by's went unreported in the face of all this suburban hand-wringing and media and law enforcement obsessing. people are being shot every day. here, there, everywhere. nobody gives a shit. but let the media mention "terrorism" in connection with this lone whacko and all the country goes gaga. give me a break. i would NEVER have beleived the american populace was so frigging STUPID.
krewson: what i figured to be) a concise look at the national mood.
bzzzt. no cigar. i beleive the major news sites already cover that quite adequately.
posted by quonsar at 7:15 AM on October 21, 2002
The van has been towed away. It is likely going to the Henrico County Police HQ which a mere mile down the road on Parham Road. I love how all the people shouting "newsfilter" live in the midwest.
posted by machaus at 7:18 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by machaus at 7:18 AM on October 21, 2002
i would NEVER have beleived the american populace was so frigging STUPID.
I don't buy it--I think you just don't want to believe it.
posted by Fabulon7 at 7:21 AM on October 21, 2002
I don't buy it--I think you just don't want to believe it.
posted by Fabulon7 at 7:21 AM on October 21, 2002
all it takes is the hint of trouble and people are flying off the handle. sniper shooting people in the white suburbs! call out the armed forces! i can't wait until this crap is over with and i get a chance to see exactly how many drive-by's went unreported
People getting shot randomly while going about their everyday lives is slightly more terror-inducing than a bunch of gang-bangers shooting each other.
Sure, this was a link-less post. It's the first place I got this news. Obviously people were going to link to updates as they happened. Breaking news like this is one of the reasons I like Metafilter.
posted by bondcliff at 7:24 AM on October 21, 2002
People getting shot randomly while going about their everyday lives is slightly more terror-inducing than a bunch of gang-bangers shooting each other.
Sure, this was a link-less post. It's the first place I got this news. Obviously people were going to link to updates as they happened. Breaking news like this is one of the reasons I like Metafilter.
posted by bondcliff at 7:24 AM on October 21, 2002
What a scandal you've uncovered, quonsar -- most people care more about violence that might happen to them! Next thing you'll tell me is that rich people get preferential treatment at restaurants.
posted by rcade at 7:28 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by rcade at 7:28 AM on October 21, 2002
Alright, Metafilter has become the new push media! Instant headlines delivered to your desktop. Now I can turn on the tv and watch people speculate on shit they know nothing about. Watch as network anchors interview the guy who happened to be buying a Hostess Ding Dong while "it all came down." Marvel at scintillating headlines such as "ARRESTED MAN DID NOT PUT UP A STRUGGLE."
I'm now watching this brilliant witness, the auto dealer next door to the gas station, show these blurry Polaroids he took right before the attack. You couldn't make up less content if you tried.
posted by jeremias at 7:31 AM on October 21, 2002
I'm now watching this brilliant witness, the auto dealer next door to the gas station, show these blurry Polaroids he took right before the attack. You couldn't make up less content if you tried.
posted by jeremias at 7:31 AM on October 21, 2002
...but let the media mention "terrorism" in connection with this lone whacko and all the country goes gaga.
Normally I'd agree, but I think this is really the most effective form of terror. People within a defined area are dying completely at random, regardless of color, sex race, religion, income, politics... the obvious message? YOU ARE NOT SAFE. NO ONE IS SAFE. Don't you see why people are responding with terror to this?
Frankly, after 9/11, I wondered why this type of action wasn't already taking place (assuming 9/11 was a politically motivated terrorist act). 9/11 didn't scare every Joe Schmoe in the 'burbs, 'cuz Joe knew he wasn't a high-profile target like the Trade Center.
I'm not saying this is politically-motivated terrorism, but it is much more like the random "bomb goes off in a cafe" terrorism that has wreaked so much havok in parts of the world.
I'm for keeping this thread as one of the very few exceptions. A big, fat pancake?
posted by Shane at 7:34 AM on October 21, 2002
Normally I'd agree, but I think this is really the most effective form of terror. People within a defined area are dying completely at random, regardless of color, sex race, religion, income, politics... the obvious message? YOU ARE NOT SAFE. NO ONE IS SAFE. Don't you see why people are responding with terror to this?
Frankly, after 9/11, I wondered why this type of action wasn't already taking place (assuming 9/11 was a politically motivated terrorist act). 9/11 didn't scare every Joe Schmoe in the 'burbs, 'cuz Joe knew he wasn't a high-profile target like the Trade Center.
I'm not saying this is politically-motivated terrorism, but it is much more like the random "bomb goes off in a cafe" terrorism that has wreaked so much havok in parts of the world.
I'm for keeping this thread as one of the very few exceptions. A big, fat pancake?
posted by Shane at 7:34 AM on October 21, 2002
People getting shot randomly while going about their everyday lives is slightly more terror-inducing than a bunch of gang-bangers shooting each other.
Do you read any of the stories about drive-by shootings? It's not always gangbangers knocking each other off. Here in Jacksonville, a pair of 12-year-olds and their aunt were gunned down while sitting in a car recently and the media has been all over it. These sniper victims aren't the only ones plucked from their normal lives by street violence.
posted by rcade at 7:36 AM on October 21, 2002
Do you read any of the stories about drive-by shootings? It's not always gangbangers knocking each other off. Here in Jacksonville, a pair of 12-year-olds and their aunt were gunned down while sitting in a car recently and the media has been all over it. These sniper victims aren't the only ones plucked from their normal lives by street violence.
posted by rcade at 7:36 AM on October 21, 2002
Must... Resist...! Posting. To. Thread! Gack! Must. Remember... promise. To. Self. Argh!!! Must. Stop. Posting. Melo. Drama-ic-ally as if. I. Were. William SHATNER!
Sniper Suspect Eating Frosted Flakes in Manchester, CT
Police are completely baffled and running around in circles like dogs chasing their own tails, as the sniper suspect sits alone in a Manchester apartment pouring milk on a bowl of frosted flakes and reading the back of the carton to see if he's on it. A link describing this more in detail will be forthcoming as soon as this thread has died. Film at eleven.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:42 AM on October 21, 2002
Sniper Suspect Eating Frosted Flakes in Manchester, CT
Police are completely baffled and running around in circles like dogs chasing their own tails, as the sniper suspect sits alone in a Manchester apartment pouring milk on a bowl of frosted flakes and reading the back of the carton to see if he's on it. A link describing this more in detail will be forthcoming as soon as this thread has died. Film at eleven.
posted by ZachsMind at 7:42 AM on October 21, 2002
People getting shot randomly while going about their everyday lives is slightly more terror-inducing than a bunch of gang-bangers shooting each other.
Nice. This strikes me as a poorly researched statement. I live in a racially and economically diverse neighborhood in Northern Virginia (I know, a rarity) where there have been two unsolved shootings in and around public housing (literally within earshot of my front porch). As far as I can tell (the shootings were not reported in the news) they were quite random and not gang related. I think this is far more typical than the 'gang-bangers shooting each other' that you imagine. I think Quonsar makes a good, if extreme, point.
posted by drobot at 7:42 AM on October 21, 2002
Nice. This strikes me as a poorly researched statement. I live in a racially and economically diverse neighborhood in Northern Virginia (I know, a rarity) where there have been two unsolved shootings in and around public housing (literally within earshot of my front porch). As far as I can tell (the shootings were not reported in the news) they were quite random and not gang related. I think this is far more typical than the 'gang-bangers shooting each other' that you imagine. I think Quonsar makes a good, if extreme, point.
posted by drobot at 7:42 AM on October 21, 2002
Should be on metatalk, but screw it since we're ignoring the guidelines about news and linkless posts, anyway.
Bondcliff: It's the first place I got this news. Breaking news like this is one of the reasons I like Metafilter.
Someone hears something on the radio and posts it here? Thats not "breaking" the news, thats repeating something absolutely everyone is going to hear about, without even a link with details.
This is not a situation where the news sites are down from heavy traffic, this is story that already has, or will show up on CNN.com, yahoo news, google news, and every news site in the US. It's also on the radio, every streaming news radio site, and TV news network.
If you're coming to MeFI for news, you might try one of those sources mentioned above.
posted by malphigian at 7:42 AM on October 21, 2002
Bondcliff: It's the first place I got this news. Breaking news like this is one of the reasons I like Metafilter.
Someone hears something on the radio and posts it here? Thats not "breaking" the news, thats repeating something absolutely everyone is going to hear about, without even a link with details.
This is not a situation where the news sites are down from heavy traffic, this is story that already has, or will show up on CNN.com, yahoo news, google news, and every news site in the US. It's also on the radio, every streaming news radio site, and TV news network.
If you're coming to MeFI for news, you might try one of those sources mentioned above.
posted by malphigian at 7:42 AM on October 21, 2002
I don't come to MeFi for news. I come for the charming personalities and tolerance of differing interests.
posted by bondcliff at 7:45 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by bondcliff at 7:45 AM on October 21, 2002
2nd man arrested. No link. I suck.
posted by Orange Goblin at 7:46 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by Orange Goblin at 7:46 AM on October 21, 2002
sniper shooting people in the white suburbs!
wrong. most of the people shot were not white. the maryland suburbs surrounding DC where most of the shootings were concentrated are not "white."
had the shootings taken place in NOVA, your characterization might be accurate. they didn't, and it's not.
btw, NOVA = northern virginia
posted by probablysteve at 7:47 AM on October 21, 2002
wrong. most of the people shot were not white. the maryland suburbs surrounding DC where most of the shootings were concentrated are not "white."
had the shootings taken place in NOVA, your characterization might be accurate. they didn't, and it's not.
btw, NOVA = northern virginia
posted by probablysteve at 7:47 AM on October 21, 2002
It seems the net is also tightening on this notorious rogue who is plaguing the streets of london.
posted by johnnyboy at 7:50 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by johnnyboy at 7:50 AM on October 21, 2002
"French solidier missing in North America. France Says Marksman Missing in North America, Fueling Speculation Over Link to Sniper Killings."
Link via drudge.
posted by Hankins at 8:00 AM on October 21, 2002
Link via drudge.
posted by Hankins at 8:00 AM on October 21, 2002
Good to see that the post nazis are out in force.
The post is here and people are interested in it.
Deal with it.
posted by eas98 at 8:09 AM on October 21, 2002
The post is here and people are interested in it.
Deal with it.
posted by eas98 at 8:09 AM on October 21, 2002
Hmm, has anyone else noticed the hints that this isn't the sniper, but is an individual connected with the sniper delivering a "message."
posted by moonbiter at 8:09 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by moonbiter at 8:09 AM on October 21, 2002
OT
It seems the net is also tightening on this notorious rogue who is plaguing the streets of london.
P Cornwell thinks so...I believe she's publishing the book soon, too...
posted by Shane at 8:09 AM on October 21, 2002
It seems the net is also tightening on this notorious rogue who is plaguing the streets of london.
P Cornwell thinks so...I believe she's publishing the book soon, too...
posted by Shane at 8:09 AM on October 21, 2002
I believe she's publishing the book soon, too...
and she lives in Richmond. Imagine that...
posted by machaus at 8:11 AM on October 21, 2002
and she lives in Richmond. Imagine that...
posted by machaus at 8:11 AM on October 21, 2002
wrong. most of the people shot were not white. the maryland suburbs surrounding DC where most of the shootings were concentrated are not "white."
Maybe the attention isn't racist but classist?
posted by originalname37 at 8:12 AM on October 21, 2002
Maybe the attention isn't racist but classist?
posted by originalname37 at 8:12 AM on October 21, 2002
originalname37 - Maybe - despite the racial diversity of the victims, all of the neighborhoods have been fairly affluent, even the shooting in Prince Georges County (which is sometimes maligned by people who live in the DC area).
posted by drobot at 8:17 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by drobot at 8:17 AM on October 21, 2002
fabulon7, rcade and shane: i had a carefully constructed response all typed in to each of you when apparently the sudden rush to get news brought our netrwork to a crawl and i could not reach the site for a bit. well, actually, it was a typical "dashed off with hardly a thought" quonsarism, but basically it said "ok ok - shitty analogy, the drive-by thing, consider the sock to be well stuffed." :-)
posted by quonsar at 8:19 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by quonsar at 8:19 AM on October 21, 2002
People interested in filtering the news for themselves may want to try these links. If while perusing those links, one finds something new, interesting and insightful, please feel free to share it with the MetaFilter crowd. MeFi is for filtering the Web, not the news, although sometimes the lines between those two tend to blur. There should never be a reason to post to the front page without a link to the web somewhere in the post in question. It's completely illogical, and a matter of common sense.
And while others may choose to berate me for voicing this opinion and not taking it to MeTa or whatever, I'll be over in the corner here flogging myself with a cat-o-nine tails. That is all.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:27 AM on October 21, 2002
And while others may choose to berate me for voicing this opinion and not taking it to MeTa or whatever, I'll be over in the corner here flogging myself with a cat-o-nine tails. That is all.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:27 AM on October 21, 2002
Individual was arrested at an Exxon station...
say, he wasn't chained to a pump by any chance, was he?
posted by quonsar at 8:31 AM on October 21, 2002
say, he wasn't chained to a pump by any chance, was he?
posted by quonsar at 8:31 AM on October 21, 2002
The sniper is shooting people where he can hide in some woods or protected area, and can get away quickly. The fact that those sorts of areas are more expensive to live in than inner city areas would account for his choice of victims.
The fact that this guy's hits seem so well thought out and meaningless is pretty scary. Inner city drive bys are also scary and senseless, and witnesses are often terrorized into not testifying against the criminals.
They're both awful. Let's not pick at each other trying to be the biggest victim.
posted by Red58 at 8:32 AM on October 21, 2002
The fact that this guy's hits seem so well thought out and meaningless is pretty scary. Inner city drive bys are also scary and senseless, and witnesses are often terrorized into not testifying against the criminals.
They're both awful. Let's not pick at each other trying to be the biggest victim.
posted by Red58 at 8:32 AM on October 21, 2002
This whole story is going to make a great movie in the near future...
posted by adamms222 at 8:37 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by adamms222 at 8:37 AM on October 21, 2002
"September 11th: It's the new Godwin!"
Actually 'The new Godwin' is the new Godwin.
posted by HTuttle at 8:39 AM on October 21, 2002
Actually 'The new Godwin' is the new Godwin.
posted by HTuttle at 8:39 AM on October 21, 2002
Zachsmind, that was great of you to put the newslinks on your userpage like that but is there anything you can do about the colors? The contrast is so poor you actually have to select text to see it. Sorry to criticize, I actually think it's a great idea.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:47 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:47 AM on October 21, 2002
Looks like it's a problem with the plain text "LoFi" style skin. Bookmarklets are perfect for such occasions!
posted by saintsguy at 8:54 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by saintsguy at 8:54 AM on October 21, 2002
Ah! Well. I uhm.. fixed the problem, so to speak. *smirk*
posted by ZachsMind at 9:55 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by ZachsMind at 9:55 AM on October 21, 2002
Good to see that the post nazis are out in force.
The post is here and people are interested in it.
Deal with it.
Is this what it's come to? Links don't matter anymore? MeFi: the new chatroom. I sure hope somebody's paying attention.
posted by languagehat at 10:03 AM on October 21, 2002
The post is here and people are interested in it.
Deal with it.
Is this what it's come to? Links don't matter anymore? MeFi: the new chatroom. I sure hope somebody's paying attention.
posted by languagehat at 10:03 AM on October 21, 2002
I don't know whether to be grateful that I'm halfway across the country from my hometown of Richmond, or to be irrationally worried for my family there.
posted by Zosia Blue at 10:14 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by Zosia Blue at 10:14 AM on October 21, 2002
Despite this thread being 70 comments strong, also notice that half are "metatalky" and I would also suggest this thread to be deleted.
posted by Stan Chin at 10:17 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by Stan Chin at 10:17 AM on October 21, 2002
Exception proves the rule. I'm getting my info here, and we can use it. Mefi cops can relax on this one. There will always be other bad threads to chew on.
posted by konolia at 10:18 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by konolia at 10:18 AM on October 21, 2002
This whole story is going to make a god-awful suckfest of a movie in the near future...
posted by signal at 10:18 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by signal at 10:18 AM on October 21, 2002
konolia: pet peeve time: "the exception proves the rule"
posted by signal at 10:25 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by signal at 10:25 AM on October 21, 2002
story is going to make a great movie
Why he did it will be interesting..for 5 minutes.
posted by stbalbach at 10:27 AM on October 21, 2002
Why he did it will be interesting..for 5 minutes.
posted by stbalbach at 10:27 AM on October 21, 2002
Why he did it will be interesting..for 5 minutes.
Which will be four minutes, thirty seconds longer than this thread was interesting.
/snark
posted by Yelling At Nothing at 10:30 AM on October 21, 2002
Which will be four minutes, thirty seconds longer than this thread was interesting.
/snark
posted by Yelling At Nothing at 10:30 AM on October 21, 2002
Richmond is a small town compared to DC if the sniper is not local he will stand out more.
NBC's Joe Johns reports the phone call that a man in the van was making was relevant to the sniper investigation.
Anyone know how quick a call can be traced these days from a payphone?
posted by stbalbach at 10:36 AM on October 21, 2002
NBC's Joe Johns reports the phone call that a man in the van was making was relevant to the sniper investigation.
Anyone know how quick a call can be traced these days from a payphone?
posted by stbalbach at 10:36 AM on October 21, 2002
What's most interesting to me is that the police were apparently staking out the phone. I'd like to know why.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:37 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:37 AM on October 21, 2002
if the sniper is not local he will stand out more
He was a '24 year old Mexican native'. Do young Hispanic males stand out in Richmond?
As for tracing the call, the cops (city, county, state and fed) were covering pay phones in a wide radius around the one used Saturday night. Presumably, they (or the phone company) were giving those phone numbers extra attention as well.
posted by mischief at 10:42 AM on October 21, 2002
He was a '24 year old Mexican native'. Do young Hispanic males stand out in Richmond?
As for tracing the call, the cops (city, county, state and fed) were covering pay phones in a wide radius around the one used Saturday night. Presumably, they (or the phone company) were giving those phone numbers extra attention as well.
posted by mischief at 10:42 AM on October 21, 2002
Any hypotheses on what the message at the Ponderosa was? Based on Moose's celebrated "We do want to talk to you" quote, I would assume that the message took a "If you would like to speak with me" formulation and provided a phone number that police were supposed to call. Except there was some reason that system wouldn't work, or the police tried to play chicken, and tried to get him to call them, rather than the other way around. Making this even more confusing is the reports that a message was found in the woods, which seems like a separate communication. Can anyone make sense of this informational chess match?
posted by gsteff at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by gsteff at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2002
Re: MoonPie
This is speculation, but didn't the sniper leave a note with a telephone number for the police? I'm guessing that number corresponds with the pay phone.
posted by Atom12 at 10:48 AM on October 21, 2002
This is speculation, but didn't the sniper leave a note with a telephone number for the police? I'm guessing that number corresponds with the pay phone.
posted by Atom12 at 10:48 AM on October 21, 2002
Do young Hispanic males stand out in Richmond?
A Hispanic male would not stand out in Richmond unless he was doing somthing out of the ordinary like makeing a phone call from a white van from a pay phone being staked out.
posted by stbalbach at 11:02 AM on October 21, 2002
A Hispanic male would not stand out in Richmond unless he was doing somthing out of the ordinary like makeing a phone call from a white van from a pay phone being staked out.
posted by stbalbach at 11:02 AM on October 21, 2002
Authorities have refused to describe the two men as "suspects."
posted by pmurray63 at 11:17 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by pmurray63 at 11:17 AM on October 21, 2002
Do young Hispanic males stand out in Richmond?
In Richmond, no... in Henrico County? Yes. Henrico has a fairly "overzealous" police department.
posted by oninochuck at 11:18 AM on October 21, 2002
In Richmond, no... in Henrico County? Yes. Henrico has a fairly "overzealous" police department.
posted by oninochuck at 11:18 AM on October 21, 2002
This is speculation, but didn't the sniper leave a note with a telephone number for the police? I'm guessing that number corresponds with the pay phone.
Wouldn't that be remarkably foolish? The police told the sniper to call them at the number left behind at the Ponderosa, not the other way around.
posted by rcade at 11:32 AM on October 21, 2002
Wouldn't that be remarkably foolish? The police told the sniper to call them at the number left behind at the Ponderosa, not the other way around.
posted by rcade at 11:32 AM on October 21, 2002
It looks like these two suspects may just be trying to extort money from this tragedy.
posted by machaus at 11:34 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by machaus at 11:34 AM on October 21, 2002
From what I understand, someone called to tell the police about the note. The phone trace led back to the payphone. They staked out the pay phone and saw a guy in a white van use the phone.
It's sort of silly, really. The number of white vans that would stop for gas somewhere and use the phone to call someone seems to have a pretty high likelihood.. that it would be the sniper would seem slim to none
posted by rich at 11:48 AM on October 21, 2002
It's sort of silly, really. The number of white vans that would stop for gas somewhere and use the phone to call someone seems to have a pretty high likelihood.. that it would be the sniper would seem slim to none
posted by rich at 11:48 AM on October 21, 2002
my 2 pence/cents - i came here first for the lowdown on the snipers. i know where the news sites are, i just value the opinions of you guys more than the media.
*gushes*
posted by triv at 11:50 AM on October 21, 2002
*gushes*
posted by triv at 11:50 AM on October 21, 2002
I'm getting my info here, and we can use it. Mefi cops can relax on this one.
oh yeah? well, i'm buying a new car and getting the information here, and i resent your newsfilter interfering with my carfilter. matt! i need to know the payout amount on my current loan, please! how long will it take to get that posted on the front page here?
posted by quonsar at 11:50 AM on October 21, 2002
oh yeah? well, i'm buying a new car and getting the information here, and i resent your newsfilter interfering with my carfilter. matt! i need to know the payout amount on my current loan, please! how long will it take to get that posted on the front page here?
posted by quonsar at 11:50 AM on October 21, 2002
and after this i'm going to expedia and checking the new job listings.
posted by quonsar at 11:51 AM on October 21, 2002
posted by quonsar at 11:51 AM on October 21, 2002
i find this:
"To the person who left us a message at the Ponderosa last night, you gave us a telephone number. We do want to talk to you. Call us at the number you provided. Thank you," Moose said. [from the article linked by machaus]
baffling.
wtf? the sniper left a number for a phone [booth?] that he expects the police to go to and he will call them? how backwards is that? unless he's planning on shooting whoever answers the phone i don't see any logic to this whatsoever. i would presume that police would just take over the phone number and direct any calls sent to said number to a different phone. no? can anyone else make head or tail of it?
posted by dobbs at 11:56 AM on October 21, 2002
"To the person who left us a message at the Ponderosa last night, you gave us a telephone number. We do want to talk to you. Call us at the number you provided. Thank you," Moose said. [from the article linked by machaus]
baffling.
wtf? the sniper left a number for a phone [booth?] that he expects the police to go to and he will call them? how backwards is that? unless he's planning on shooting whoever answers the phone i don't see any logic to this whatsoever. i would presume that police would just take over the phone number and direct any calls sent to said number to a different phone. no? can anyone else make head or tail of it?
posted by dobbs at 11:56 AM on October 21, 2002
For those of you reading this thread to get breaking news: CNN is reporting that the two men taken into custody at/near the pay phone have no connection to the sniper. For more information, browse to cnn.com.
posted by ewagoner at 12:12 PM on October 21, 2002
posted by ewagoner at 12:12 PM on October 21, 2002
Or cnn.com, for those of you who don't like to hand edit the links you click on.
posted by ewagoner at 12:14 PM on October 21, 2002
posted by ewagoner at 12:14 PM on October 21, 2002
From machaus' link:
Police said they found a note in the woods near the Ponderosa restaurant in Ashland, a few miles (kilometers) north of Richmond, after the latest victim was shot and critically wounded.
What is with that "(kilometers)"? I could understand converting miles to kilometers if a number had been given, but are there any English speakers (the article was in English, after all) who don't know that miles are a measure of distance and who need to be keyed into this fact with the parenthetical kilometers? Or is it because the police used "kilometers" to describe the distance of the note from the crime scene, and the author felt the obligation to maintain this description while also conveying the meaning to metric-ignorant Americans?
posted by mr_roboto at 12:16 PM on October 21, 2002
Police said they found a note in the woods near the Ponderosa restaurant in Ashland, a few miles (kilometers) north of Richmond, after the latest victim was shot and critically wounded.
What is with that "(kilometers)"? I could understand converting miles to kilometers if a number had been given, but are there any English speakers (the article was in English, after all) who don't know that miles are a measure of distance and who need to be keyed into this fact with the parenthetical kilometers? Or is it because the police used "kilometers" to describe the distance of the note from the crime scene, and the author felt the obligation to maintain this description while also conveying the meaning to metric-ignorant Americans?
posted by mr_roboto at 12:16 PM on October 21, 2002
"Sniper Suspect Arrested in Richmond, VA"
Er, no.
posted by mediareport at 12:20 PM on October 21, 2002
Er, no.
posted by mediareport at 12:20 PM on October 21, 2002
What's most interesting to me is that the police were apparently staking out the phone. I'd like to know why.
Police have said they followed info or a tip, but have been very vague. I'd like to know exactly what brought them there, also.
posted by Shane at 12:21 PM on October 21, 2002
Police have said they followed info or a tip, but have been very vague. I'd like to know exactly what brought them there, also.
posted by Shane at 12:21 PM on October 21, 2002
The Hunt for the (Tarot card | D.C. | Suburban | Beltway | Descriptor of the Day) Sniper: brought to you without commercial interruption by Metafilter.
posted by iceberg273 at 1:05 PM on October 21, 2002
posted by iceberg273 at 1:05 PM on October 21, 2002
Dud.
I think that's why "newsfilter" posts are frowned upon.
posted by 2sheets at 1:25 PM on October 21, 2002
I think that's why "newsfilter" posts are frowned upon.
posted by 2sheets at 1:25 PM on October 21, 2002
I don't have a TV and the online news sources are not as immediate so MetaFilter fills a gap for breaking stories its very handy and appreciated plus a lot more personal.
posted by stbalbach at 1:31 PM on October 21, 2002
posted by stbalbach at 1:31 PM on October 21, 2002
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posted by drobot at 6:44 AM on October 21, 2002