| Safety Tips for Sniper Attacks | |
|
| |
| Reader Comments |
|
||
Reader comment received 10/20/02:
I live in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area where the sniper has been active for the past two and a half weeks. I read the email from the supposed "SWAT sniper" and would like to point out some serious concerns I have about its authenticity:
- "As you may already know I have been a SWAT Sniper for about 3 years. My
specialty is Counter Sniper for Presidential and
dignitary protection."
Secret Service personnel are the only ones who are charged with protecting the President and they have their own snipers. Serving on the Presidential detail is a plum assignment and its members do not divide their time between that and anything or anybody else.
- "This Sniper killing people in the DC Metro area is a skilled
sharpshooter..."
Police spokesmen at press conferences have stated that this person is not that skilled.
- "He thinks he is superior to everyone,
but knows eventually he will be caught."
What kind of sense does this sentence make? If he believes he is superior to everyone, how could he believe he could possibly ever be caught?
- "He is playing a very sick game that he feels he is winning. He will
probably want to sensationalize his confrontations with the police and
eventually stop running and have a standoff. The police may be his
future targets."
This person is targeting people who are unarmed, standing or sitting still, or moving very slowly, which increases his chances of killing the person. Why would he target someone who he knows will not only shoot back but will probably be better than he is?
- "It is very important that you adjust your regular routine because this
is a very deadly individual. I am going to give you my
personal/professional advice on the matter."
Well, which is it -- professional or personal?
- "The Sniper's MO (his methods) are the following..."
Even I know that "MO" stands for modus operandi, or method of operation. I find it hard to believe that a SWAT team member would vary so far from standard jargon.
- "He is able to shoot accurately out to 500 yards..."
There has been absolutely NO mention or indication that the sniper has shot from this far away. I have no idea where this person got this "information," another reason to question his authenticity.
I can't help but wonder if the author is a frustrated police applicant who never made it into the academy or if he just watches way too many police shows, but the content as well as the structure of his email is highly questionable.
