Authorities have linked yet another shooting to the sniper suspects – the wounding of a Maryland store clerk more than two weeks before a string of attacks began terrorising the Washington area.

Maryland prosecutors say they will bring six counts of first-degree murder against the two Washington sniper suspects.

THE two men arrested on suspicion of involvement in the 10 Washington-area sniper slayings this month will be charged with murder and face the death penalty for an earlier killing in Alabama, authorities in the southern state said yesterday.

POLICE chief Charles Moose, the man leading the hunt for the Washington sniper, has become famous for his passionate press briefings and confrontations with reporters.