◆ SpookStack

Overview During the last two weeks 9 persons have been murdered in the Metropolifan = Washingtof afea by a person or persons unknown:,-‘The, metfiod of death was gunshot by a sniper using a°.223 caliber weapon. ‘The exact type of Wedpon is ‘still uriknown but is thought to be either a civilian version of the military M-16 called an AR-15, which is semi automatic, or possibly a single shot-hunting rife. ‘In either case the sniper has killed his victims with a single shot from distances a close as forty yards to over 100 yards, The skill of this person/s should not be underestimated. His victims have _ included a 1$:year-old child'shot in close proximity to his school,-the rest of the victims have been both malé‘and female, ‘black and white. ‘So'far there has beén no particular pattern or motive established, The terror this person has caused in the metropolitan area is not unlike what was. experienced as the result of the terrorist attacks last year. The randomness and innocence of the victims involved in these killings has resulted in an unprecedented law enforcement response of resources {roni fedéral,-state and local agencies throughout the Washington.area. Poa et 2 —— L *” ne , The mission of the swom personne! of this Départment will be to protect the citizens using our interstate system and supplement thé resources of focal agencies In the region. Additionally, our personnel will supplement the resources of local agencies on all interstate highways within the bouindaties of Divistori Seven and a portion of Division Two from Fredericksburg north of 1-95. _ Strategies Checkpcints have been selected in Areas 9, 11, 45 and 48 ta provide coverage of the interstate systems. We will maintain several stationary posts. As previously indicated our Department is supplementing the resources of Arfington, Fairfax and Prince William counties as Well as the city of Alexandria. The police agencies from these local agencies are already maintaining a significant presence on the interstates. Our objective is two fold; + Our presence will hopefully send a message we are prepared and working together throughout the region, second should another shooting occur, interstate systems in close proximity to the event will be shut down immediately in an attempt to keep the perpetrator from leaving the area. All vehicles passing a particular checkpoint will be examined and vehicles matching the description of the suspect vehicle will be stopped and closely scrutinized before they will be allowed to continue on their way. In order for this strategy to work effectively, it must be implemented immediately after an event eccurs. Most checkpoints will be staffed by at least two agencies. Regionally, this sbategy has already been approved by the chiefs of each law enforcement agency. Additionally, the governor's office of both Maryland and Virginia and the mayor of Washington DC are also aware of our intentions. ° 2 e Fev 10/47/02