Rockville, Maryland, Oct 24: Police hunting the
serial sniper issued an arrest warrant for a 42-year-old man
they believe has information about the string of terrifying
shootings that have left 10 people dead in the Washington
suburbs.
Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose said the
man, John Allen Mohammed, should be considered "armed and
dangerous" and that he was being sought on a federal weapons
charge.
"Do not assume from this allegation that John Allen
Mohammed, also known as John Allen Williams, is involved in
any of the shootings," Moose said.
Issuing a direct message to the sniper, Moose said "lets
talk directly. We have an answer for you about your option. We
are waiting for you to contact us."
A US official in Washington said authorities were looking
for two "people of interest," including one who was formerly
connected to Fort Lewis, an army base South of Tacoma,
Washington, that provides some of the most intense sniper
training in the US military.
Moose made no mention of a second person.
The warrant raised hopes that investigators had a solid
lead in their search for the sniper who has also critically
wounded three people since October 2.
The announcement came hours after the investigation
jumped across the country. FBI agents converged on a rental
home in Tacoma with metal detectors and chain saws, carting
away a tree stump from the yard and other potential evidence
in a U-haul truck.
Bureau Report
