# Oh shit! Here we go again.....(sniper?) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 15, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429 "2003-08-15T17:48:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SkyBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@SkyBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyBum)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/1 "2003-08-15T17:48:28Z")
I wonder just how long it will take the press to wind [_this_](http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/200308151) story up to a fever pitch? Were it not for the blackout, I’m sure they would already be setting up the circus tents and hawking panic. > [@](#): > > \*\*2 gunned down > > Woman, man shot dead outside Campbells Creek, Cedar Grove gas stations > > By Paul Wilson > Staff Writer > > Two people were killed late Thursday in separate shootings outside Kanawha County convenience stores, in what police said could be related random shootings. > > The two became the second and third people shot dead outside Kanawha Valley convenience stores within four days, and the third and fourth people murdered in Kanawha County on a bloody Thursday. > > Thursday night, a woman was gunned down while pumping gas at a Campbells Creek convenience store about 10:20 p.m., while another person was shot slightly more than an hour later outside a Cedar Grove store. Both were killed. > > “They appear to be random shootings,” said Lt. J.S. Bailes, Kanawha County sheriff’s spokesman.\*\* I’m not dismissing the seriousness of something like this, just gritting my teeth in anticipation of what the press will do with a story like this to work with. I have no doubt that it will be \* fucking sensational\*! ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/2 "2003-08-15T17:55:56Z")
I’m not familiar with the area. This is happening in West Virginia? ---
**Author:** ![Sunglasses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5fc32e/32.png) [@Sunglasses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunglasses)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/3 "2003-08-15T17:59:38Z")
I live in this area. There were two more separate shootings today, bringing the total to five in five days. I certainly don’t want sensationalism, I just want the police to catch whoever is doing this. We’re all very frightened and can’t help but think about the Sniper shootings. ---
**Author:** ![SkyBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@SkyBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyBum)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/4 "2003-08-15T18:00:49Z")
The link leads to a site for the The Charleston Gazette. It seems to be very slow, they must be getting a lot of hits at the moment. I’m not at all familiar with the area but the article was dated Aug. 15. ---
**Author:** ![Sunglasses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5fc32e/32.png) [@Sunglasses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunglasses)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/5 "2003-08-15T18:00:49Z")
Didn’t see your post **lieu**. Yes, it’s West Virginia. In and around Charleston, the capital city. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/6 "2003-08-15T18:57:20Z")
Is [this story](http://www.msnbc.com/local/wsaz/m317418.asp) related? > [@](#): > > The victim, Gary Carrier, was making a phone call here at the Go-Mart on Bigley Avenue. > The clerk there called 9-1-1 after hearing at least one gunshot. > Police didn’t find any shell casings so they believe the shooter may have fired from a car. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/7 "2003-08-15T20:34:25Z")
The media frenzy has officially begun: [http://www.foxnews.com.edgesuite.net/story/0,2933,94868,00.html](http://www.foxnews.com.edgesuite.net/story/0,2933,94868,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![SkyBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@SkyBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyBum)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/8 "2003-08-15T22:57:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blonde \* > \*\*The media frenzy has officially begun: \*\* No, the tents haven’t been set up, the circus animals are enroute, and the freaks are still covering New York. If the murders are still happening in a week, _that’s_ when the circus will begin to reach it’s awesome and mind numbing potential. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/9 "2003-08-16T14:04:40Z")
CNN [put it on the front page](http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/08/16/W.virginia.shootings/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/10 "2003-08-16T14:08:53Z")
:mad: ---
**Author:** ![WhereAmI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@WhereAmI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhereAmI)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/11 "2003-08-16T14:19:28Z")
:eek: I hope my hubby doesn’t have to go back to Charleston any time soon. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![fnord1966](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@fnord1966](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fnord1966)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/12 "2003-08-16T14:23:54Z")
I hope someone sees this bastard and empties a couple of magazines of 45 acp into his chest. Forget the trial, forget the media, just send him to meet his maker, ASAP. teach the other sickos out there that if you try it, you might get away with one or two, but someones gonna find ya, and that someone is gonna light ya up. To all non-violent leaning dopers, sorry, but I thing things like this should be ended quickly. And chances of rehabilitation for individuals like this is slim to none. And as far as legality, In California if you are defending someones life, from an immediate threat(ie: gun being aimed at them with the belief that it will be fired) you have the right to use deadly force. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/13 "2003-08-16T14:34:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fnord1966 \* > \*\*And as far as legality, In California if you are defending someones life, from an immediate threat(ie: gun being aimed at them with the belief that it will be fired) you have the right to use deadly force. \*\* Be careful what you advocate. There are consequences for actions like that. > [@](#): > > While CA has the classical old political CCW system (no right to carry except for politicians and celebrities – e.g. anti-gun rights senators Boxer and Feinstein have permits) there are two things you should know. First: CA has a gray area de facto quasi-right-to-carry. The state law provides that carrying a concealed weapon (including a knife or blackjack) is a FELONY. However, the wise legislators kept a clear exception to cover all of their friends and relatives that carry illegally. **If you are carrying a gun (not a knife!) AND it was legally purchased AND you are not a gang member (yes, they have a statutory definition of gang member) AND it is your first such arrest then concealed carry is only a misdemeanor. This was explained to me by several professionals and lawyers and I checked it out on the CA government web page. A typical fine is $200. Do not carry a knife or baton!** Secondly, the country’s safest city, Simi Valley has its own right to carry program. It requires a psychological evaluation ($250), a few night classes on the law and shooting and a shooting test. Total cost about $550 [http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/california](http://www.packing.org/state/index.jsp/california) Shuld you be able to defend yourself against an attacker? Sure. Can you, legally? Sorta. Will you be penalized is some fashion? Absolutely. Now that that’s done, I have to say that that was posted only to respond to that one point, not to hijack this thread into oblivion. However, any time someone says something unsupported like that when it is of questionable legality, I think we are obligated to tell it like it is. ---
**Author:** ![fnord1966](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@fnord1966](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fnord1966)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/14 "2003-08-16T15:29:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Airman Doors, USAF \* > \*\*, any time someone says something unsupported like that when it is of questionable legality, I think we are obligated to tell it like it is. \*\* Unsupported, maybe, truthful, yes. I personally have a state(sheriff) issued CCW permit. There are no grey areas. In big citys the sheriffs department is under orders to not issue permits, small northern citys, after the class, FBI background check and interview, you can get one. Good throuout the state, and I am neither a celeb nor a polotician. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/15 "2003-08-16T16:12:30Z")
And herein lies the problem with these long and drawn out murder trials. If we had already made an example of Malvo and given him the needle, maybe there wouldn’t be these copy cats crawling out of the woodwork. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/16 "2003-08-16T23:03:25Z")
Speaking of Malvo, how damn long does it take to bring a murderer to trial? Almost one year, you say? OK, yep. JHC on a sidecar, that is just not right. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/17 "2003-08-16T23:49:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WhereAmI \* > \*\*:eek: I hope my hubby doesn’t have to go back to Charleston any time soon. :eek: \*\* My boyfriend warned me about this today. I drive through West Virginia to Ohio via 64/71 to visit him from Virginia, and I typically stop in a hotel in Charleston to split the trip up (I leave after work usually, so I’m exhausted after 4 hours of traveling). He told me not to stop at a gas station and I’m not staying in a hotel in Charleston next weekend - he wants me to drive Parkersburg. That’s actually near where my best friend’s parents and her sister and brother live - so I’m kind of worried about them. I really hope they catch this guy. Ava ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/18 "2003-08-17T00:14:39Z")
I wonder if it is a teenager sickly trying to grab his ( or her) fifteen minutes of sick, sick fame. Does WV have the death penalty? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/19 "2003-08-17T00:45:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*I wonder if it is a teenager sickly trying to grab his ( or her) fifteen minutes of sick, sick fame. > > Does WV have the death penalty? \*\* If not, I’m sure one of his prison buddies will be happy to perform the service at no cost to the state. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Wrong\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@The\_Wrong\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Wrong_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429/20 "2003-08-17T00:59:22Z")
My dad goes to Charleston every week, and he’s moving there for work at the end of this month. ☹ God, I hope they catch whomever’s doing this. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-here-we-go-again-sniper/195429.md?page=2)