There's a sniper in my home

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 12:20 am

In fact, one of the shootings was less than 5 miles from my apartment. We're being told to duck behind the pumps at gas stations (and not to worry about feeling silly in the process). We're being told to avoid filling up during rush hour.

Kids are locked inside the schools, outside activities are cancelled, and walking to your car is a crapshoot.

Now-let's talk about stress, coping with random violence, and strategies I can use to help keep irrational fear at bay.

This is a terribly excellent form of terrorism. I feel lucky that my car gets good gas milage and I don't drive very far very often.

Dana

student · Post by **student** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 12:33 am

Fill up on weekends, if you can. So far the pattern has been no shooting on the weekend.

Tony-San · Post by **Tony-San** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 1:48 am

Dana,

please take care of yourself and keep your eyes peeled. Hopefully this will be over soon.

chef · Post by **chef** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 2:05 am

Dana,

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer....and you are in my prayers for safe keeping. Hang in there girl. We love ya.

Vicki

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:11 am

Dana,

I feel for you. It really ***** to have to feel anxiety every time you step outdoors.

It is so helpless. Even a gun in your hand won't make you feel better.

Get a transfer to Boston until they catch the creep.

2Green · Post by **2Green** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 4:39 pm

I noticed several witnesses said they heard the shot, then turned to see a person fall.
If they heard the shot that quickly it must have been quite close, perhaps close enough so that a seeking eye might have spotted him?
Van Canna: how close would a .223 sniper have to be for the witnesses to hear the shot that soon? Not military distances I wouldn't think. Also no silencer.
A little hope for the wary observer.
Take care, Dana. Nm

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:45 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Get a transfer to Boston until they catch the creep.

Sorry, Charlie, you can't have our Dana. You're going to have to pry her out of our cold, dead fingers!!

Seriously, Dana, call me or Vicki if it ever gets too much. We have half a dozen households just 2 hours south of you that would take you and Heather in as if it were a gift.

I don't know if you've been following the thread on Van's forum, Dana. I've made a number of comments there.

The Snipers weapon of choice is NOT an assault rifle

Anyhow... <BLOCKQUOTE>quote

...strategies I can use to help keep irrational fear at bay

Good for you!!! You see it for what it is. Think about it, Dana. This guy has killed 9 and wounded two others in a city with MILLIONS. You know deep down inside that there are greater threats in your life up there. What is different about this one is the inordinate amount of attention the media gives it.

Tell me this - why is it that the media gave so much attention to child abductions this year when the frequency of such actually WENT DOWN!!! Why is it that my wife will never go on an airplane, or is terrified to walk from her car to the house at night without an umbrella over her head protecting her from the bats? Meanwhile, she drives to work in rush hour every day. Sensationalist reports about rare events make for great TV ratings, but they distort the public senses. Some have more problems with it than others.

It is irrational. You KNOW it is irrational. It still terrifies the &^%$ out of you. I know...

That doesn't mean you shouldn't be vigilant. Certainly wait inside the car when pumping gas. Don't spend long amounts of time in parking lots lollygagging around. Be a moving target at all times. Keep your eyes on the horizon.

Meanwhile... please send the b#$@^#% two hours south. Tell him we are waiting.

Funny how things like this work. I could give a rats rear about protecting my own honor or dignity. I'd just as soon act the role of the coward. But don't mess with my family. It makes me go absolutely insane inside. That guy doesn't scare me; what scares me is how I feel inside when I see what he does to people I care for.

Love you, Dana. We all do.

- Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Glasheen (edited October 17, 2002).]

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 10:43 pm

Thanks everyone. It does help to hear from all of you.

And just to put icing on the cake - this morning I was heading out to videotape at Wheaon High School - less than 1 mile from one of the shootings. At 5:30 am I was going northbound, I passed a 3 axel white box truck that was pulled off the southbound lane by 1 trooper. He was standing against the back of the truck and talking to his radio on his shoulder. His body language was very intense.

But what to do? I had to be at the school by 6:00 am, I couldn't do anything anyway, so I just kept driving.

I want you all to know that I'm not totally wigged out or anything. My sleep is fine, my eating is fine...it just raises the background stress level a notch -- and like most everyone more stress is the last thing I need.

again - thanks for your kind thoughts & prayers.

Dana

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 10:54 pm

Here are a few helpful tips on avoiding the sniper...

1. Avoid unnecessary errands
2. Bring someone along
3. Do not stand outside your vehicle grabbing things out of the car.
4. If you go to the store, put items in the back seat of the car (don't put anything in your trunk) so that you can grab items and leave quickly.
5. When slowing down or at a stop, keep your windows rolled up.
6. Don't walk in a straight line up to an entrance to a building. Zig zag and walk at angles.
7. Walk between cars & use them for protection
8. Be mindful of wooded areas and bushes around where you're going - try to be away of any random reflections (glare from the scope)
9. Use the drive-thru at fast food
10. Look around and make it obvious - if you're really worried, point while you look - it may make him hesitate if he thinks you can see him
11. Keep clear of abandoned vehicles but be aware of them.
12. You're probably safer inside of DC than in the burbs becuase the DC traffic is too congested. So until this is over - drive INTO the city to shop.

At least it's a little something.
Dana

[This message has been edited by Dana Sheets (edited October 17, 2002).]

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 11:12 pm

Dana

A note from my sister (to our family), who lives up there and does contract work in the Pentagon. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Hey Peeps!!

Just wanted to let you know that I am doing Fine here in Sniperville.

At first it was unsettling knowing that some wacko is out there killing people for no reason. But I, in my usual manor, have gotten over it and am now mad!!! and making jokes...

Most people here are now making jokes. Don't get me wrong, it's Sad what has happened and I hope someone gets a hold of this guy before the cops do... if you know what I mean.

I think most people are just tired of being scared. And, what we go through to keep ourselves from becoming potential victims is really quite funny if you think about it. People are walking zig zag through parking lots, ducking behind their cars while pumping gas... you do it to be safe but it's funny to watch. Friends of mine came in town and had to stop for gas... they had us all laughing describing what they went through... ducking down and bobbing while pumping the gas and fighting over who was going inside to pay. You can't help but laugh at yourself!!!

Bottom line... I'm smart enough to understand why he's picked the locations he's picked to kill people and am avoiding those areas/kind of places until he's caught. He can still change his MO but there is only so much a person can do... I will Not stay inside in fear.

Hope you are all doing well!!!

Hope to see most of you Thanksgiving at chez DesRoches!

Love, Peggles<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Have I ever said (recently) how proud I am of my sisters?

- Bill

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 11:34 pm

Yep. But I'll be a little silly to be a little safer any day of the week.

The document I posted from also says that the sniper isn't picking people. He/She is setting up on a shot and waiting for someone to walk into the frame. So the sniper is just pulling the trigger when someone happens to walk through his sights. So it really isn't personal, and it explains some of the randomness of the victim profiles.

Dana

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 11:59 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Think about it, Dana. This guy has killed 9 and wounded two others in a city with MILLIONS. You know deep down inside that there are greater threats in your life up there.

True enough. You are one in two millions. What are the chances of getting eaten by a shark if you go swimming?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Why is it that my wife will never go on an airplane, or is terrified to walk from her car to the house at night without an umbrella over her head protecting her from the bats?

Whaat??

[This message has been edited by Van Canna (edited October 17, 2002).]

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 12:30 am

What if

LeeDarrow · Post by **LeeDarrow** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 5:13 am

Dana-Sensei,

First, keep your eyes open. Condition Yellow is probably good enough.

Second, if you are experiencing sleep loss, appetite changes (loss, particularly), loss of concentration, unwarranted nausea, shaking of the hands or wide mood swings, get help.

I have a dear friend in Germantown, MD who is a hypnotherapist that is VERY good at traumatic stress issues who may be close enough for you to go see. Marcie is one of the people I go to when I need a tune-up of the cranium and I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Feel free to contact me privately for the information on her. My email is mstrhypno@earthlink.net

With all my good wishes and prayers for your safety, that of your family and all you know,

Lee Darrow, C.Ht.

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Fri Oct 18, 2002 5:16 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

We fought a war with it....lucky the enemy was small of stature. Varmint hunters love it....it was a design that came from one of the all time great accuracy and varmint cartridges...the 222. It’s the 223, but my feeling is it is just not a battle round. I saw what the Russian 7.62X39 could do first hand...and though I wasn’t there when the 223 was used in combat....it will just not measure up to a 30 caliber 122 grain bullet doing 2400 fps_[AK-47]. I don’t care if the .223 bullet tumbles till doomsday....which by the way it doesn’t very well. I’ve used 63 grain slugs on deer...from the 223 at top velocities for that cartridge...rarely does it tumble.

.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18 " barrel 155.5dB
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Loudness of the .223's intense report is also an important public relations concern, and less noise is always better than more noise.

Pretty loud round. I had a Mini-14 [Ruger] .223 with a shorter barrel than my AR-15, and got rid of it because of the loudness.

As to the distance, don’t know the answer.

[This message has been edited by Van Canna (edited October 17, 2002).]