Copy Cat Freeway Shootings

[TexasF355F1]

http://start.earthlink.net/newsartic...7T0E3M02_story
CAMPBELLS CREEK, W.Va. - Police stepped up their patrols and conducted door-to-door interviews in this mountain valley, hoping to calm residents fearful that a potential serial killer lurks in their midst.

Two residents from Campbells Creek were killed Thursday - one in the town itself - and police said their deaths, along with an earlier killing, could be the work of a single shooter.

As night fell Sunday, five patrol cars patrolled the area - usually a job undertaken by two units. Several officers began interviewing residents at their homes, searching for clues and hoping to reassure nervous homeowners.

"It has a calming effect on the public," Chief Deputy Phil Morris said.

Under the glow of a porch light, children playing ball in Margaret Meador's yard quickly took cover and clutched their bat for protection whenever an unfamiliar car passed by.

Meador's grandson Pat O'Connor said the increased patrols made him think that investigators believe the shooter lives in the neighborhood. "It makes you leery of being outside," O'Connor said.

All three killings had been after dark near gas stations or convenience stores. Morris recommended that residents do their shopping during the day and not go to gas stations at night alone.

Police stopped black trucks with tinted windows and extended cabs; witnesses described seeing such a vehicle at the shootings. Authorities also were scrutinizing video from surveillance cameras.

"There is no suspect at this point," Morris said Sunday.

O'Connor said his family had gathered Sunday night to prepare for the funeral of his newborn daughter, Katie, who died the same night Jeanie Patton, 31, and Okey Meadows Jr., 26, both of Campbells Creek, were slain.

Already fearful for his family in the area, O'Connor said he now must warn other family members traveling from as far away as Florida for the funeral not to stop for gasoline in the area.

"I told them to make sure to gas up before they get here. And when they do to make sure they don't see a black truck in the parking lot," O'Connor said. Campbells Creek is about 10 miles east of Charleston.

The first victim was Gary Carrier Jr., 44, of South Charleston, who was shot in the head Aug. 10 while using a pay telephone outside a gas station on Charleston's west side.

The shootings were an immediate reminder of the sniper attacks last fall in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana. Two men were arrested and accused of shooting 19 people, killing 13 and wounding six.

Morris has given out his private office number in hopes that more witnesses - or even the shooter - will come forward. He said the only physical description authorities have in the case is of a large, white male seen at one shooting.

"It's not the best ID in the world, but its the best we have," said Morris.

Outside the Shrewsbury Church of God, near one of the shootings, a sign outside the building read: "Hey sniper Jesus luvs u 2 repent and turn yourself in."

"We want to get the message across no matter what you've done, no matter where you come from, even if you're the sniper, Jesus will forgive you if you repent," said Jason Meador, a parishioner.

This asshole needs to get caught and have his balls served to him on a silver platter for dinner. People are sick!

[zebrathree]

Wait first before calling it copycat.

Theres not enough evidence to make such a claim yet. This is certainly interesting.

[YogsVR4]

This asshole needs to get caught and have his balls served to him on a silver platter for dinner.

And thats just for warm up!

[Veyron]

The shooter has been quiet for a few days. The story was burried behind the Govinator fiasco and the blackout the week that the shootings started. I would hate to live in that area never knowing when the sights might be on you.

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by zebrathree

Wait first before calling it copycat.

Theres not enough evidence to make such a claim yet. This is certainly interesting.

May not be evidence, but its close enough in my opinion to call it a copy cat.

[Dublinguy]

Originally Posted by zebrathree

Wait first before calling it copycat.

Theres not enough evidence to make such a claim yet. This is certainly interesting.

I think there is a pretty strong case to call it a copycat. Both cases show people being shot at petrol stations and convienience stores. Both apparently from quite a range considering that there is still no firm description of a viehcle or person and lastly neither case has any motive for the shootings. There is no connection between any of the 3 shot dead already. And I bet there will be more to come.

Raises the question of gun control or should I say lack of again.

Ciaran

[zebrathree]

First off, the only correlation is that people have been shot with a single shot. The backdrops are irrelevant at this point. Once a clearer picture has emerged, then it *may* be prudent to call the killings copycat.

Second, this doesnt raise the question of gun control. They could have been shot with a bolt action hunting rifle.

[Dublinguy]

First off, the only correlation is that people have been shot with a single shot. The backdrops are irrelevant at this point. Once a clearer picture has emerged, then it *may* be prudent to call the killings copycat. .

If this latest sniper is a copycat killer then he will try to emulate everything the first sniper did and that includes type of weapon used, style of shot used, how weapons are concealed and of course where the shootings are taken place. So the backdrops of the shootings is extremely relevant.

Regardless of whether or not he is a copycat or not the fact remains there is still another psycho freak of nature in America taking pop shots at people as if they where hunting game.

[/quote]Second, this doesnt raise the question of gun control. They could have been shot with a bolt action hunting rifle.[/quote]

Not wanting to get into a big debate about gun control here as I am aware that there is another thread to discuss this, I dont believe the type of weapon is relevant. Like I already said there is still a psycho nutcase going around taking pop shots at people.

If anyone recalls the Dunblane massacre in Glasgow in March 1996. Thomas Hamilton opened fire with a handgun with no apparent motive, on a class of 5 and 6 year olds shooting dead 16 and their teacher and then turned the gun on himself. The UK then reformed their gun control and gun laws. How many types of massacres have happened since in the UK compared to America in the same period?

Ciaran

[zebrathree]

Yes, if.

We dont know what cal the weapon is, where hes shooting from, if hes shooting from a fixed or mobile site, if hes shooting from a hide, if hes using follow up shots.

We dont have the evidence, the police do. Wait for the evidence to become clearer before making comments. The victims could be connected, it depends on the victimology.

While we're commenting on it, though, I say its a caucasian male, 25-35, military obsession, rifle/sniper obsession.

[Dublinguy]

Originally Posted by zebrathree

While we're commenting on it, though, I say its a caucasian male, 25-35, military obsession, rifle/sniper obsession.

Similiar to the first!!!!

[zebrathree]

Not really. Its a comment based on style, MO and signature.