Beltway sniper attacks

The Beltway sniper attacks took place during three weeks of October 2002 in the eastern United States. Ten people were killed and three others critically injured by spree killers in and around Washington D.C. in various locations throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area and along Interstate 95 in Virginia. It was later learned that the rampage apparently began the month before with murders and robbery in other states which had resulted in 3 deaths.

Related Topics:
October 2002 - United States - Spree killer - Washington D.C. - Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area - Interstate 95 - Virginia

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The sniper attacks finally ended on October 24, when police arrested John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo at a highway rest area off of I-70 in Frederick, Maryland, after receiving two telephone tips from alert citizens. It was later learned that the three-week-long rampage was motivated, at least in part, by a plot to extort $10 million from government agencies.

Related Topics:
Sniper - October 24 - Arrest - John Allen Muhammad - Lee Boyd Malvo - Highway - Rest area - I-70 - Frederick - Maryland - Extort

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In 2004, Muhammad was sentenced to death and Malvo to several sentences of life imprisonment without parole in Virginia for several of the attacks. Many more criminal charges are pending against each man, although a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in another case in March 2005 effectively precludes a death penalty for Malvo. Muhammad's death penalty was affirmed by the Virginia Supreme Court on April 22, 2005, and he is awaiting execution.

Related Topics:
2004 - U.S. Supreme Court - March 2005 - April 22 - 2005 - Execution

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Neither sniper was legally allowed to acquire firearms in the U.S. The dealer responsible for the assault rifle used in the attacks had an extensive record of firearms violations, and had not reported the gun missing (after it had apparently been shoplifted by Malvo) as required by law. A civil lawsuit alleging negligence against both the gun dealer and the manufacturer who made and distributed the weapon resulted in a US$2.5 million out-of-court settlement for survivors and families of victims. Gun control advocates considered the settlement a victory in their efforts to reduce gun-related violence in the United States.

Related Topics:
Negligence - Gun control

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