Raymond Pure 11/5/2002

Criminology
Instructor: Professor G. Curry

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.