My Reaction Paper Of The Serial Sniper

Raymond Pure Criminology Instructor: Professor G. Curry

11/5/2002

My Reaction Paper of the Serial Sniper There was a lot of information from witness and profiler that swayed the media to lead the public to believe that the culprit was a single, middle-aged, white, loner. The authorities were misleaded by witness statements when it began focusing on a white van or box truck which turned out to be a red herring. Now, the serial sniper suspects were arrested and it has brought calm to the traumatized suburban D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region and the frustrated law enforcement official despite the help from the military. As it have been disclosed that the sniper suspect(s) is at this point of time is two male, John Allen Muhammed, 41, an Afro-American, Islamic, Persian Gulf War veteran and John Lee Malvo, 17 a Jamaican illegal immigrate. This crime nature is a violence random murder that was structured along the interstate highway near the hub of America’s power infrastructure which shared a close proximity to the D.C. metropolitan area where mostly affluent suburban and government workers lived and do business or from one report that Muhammed ex-wife lived in the area. The perpetrators chose the shopping mall parking lot for most of their one shot hits and it is located near the interstate highway for a clean getaway. What could be the reason? It seem that Muhammed had a lot of disappointment in life, failed relationship, bitter custody battles which led him to be charged with a unrelated firearm charges. In addition, an undistinguished military career and a failed business venture. Malvo, the Jamaican juvenile, was Muhammed alleged stepson, he

appeared to be traveling with him as his unofficial ward was facing an immigration proceeding in November, could the hearing mean separation from each other triggered this murderous rampage? The strange bond of the two men is like a master and slave relationship especially the older in command and younger one attentive and submissive. Why this crime happens? We do not really know why because presently the suspects are not cooperating. The characteristic of target was anyone who lived, worked, and does business in the area is a potential victim regarding of race, age, and class. The deadly technique used by the sniper suspect is a 1990 Blue Chevy Caprice, the same kind car used by undercover law enforcement the get away vehicle. This made the snipers very easy to blend with the traffic. Inside the trunk was a killing chamber specially rigged with an entrance for the sniper to shoot his weapon of choice, a Bushmaster assault rifle that fires the .223-caliber slugs while lying inside. This could explain why the investigators could not find any spent casting anywhere near the crime scenes. The snipers have proven to me that it was their rational choice to commit these crimes. I am more focus on the structural perspective because both of the suspects have experience problem with life and were frustration with the authorities which led them to solve their problem by turn to criminal behavior. I find it amazing that when the suspect was arrested all of the different jurisdictions where the crime took place are juggling about whose would be the first one to prosecute them. They all seek the death penalty by law for the sniper suspects except Maryland because of the juvenile age.