Fears of second sniper in US after weapon’s match

THE United States may be dealing with another sniper on the loose after police confirmed three shooting victims at convenience stores in West Virginia were killed by the same weapon.

The victims all shot in the head or neck last week were killed by a .22 calibre rifle, Charleston Police Chief Jerry Pauley said yesterday.

"Now that we know it came from the same weapon, we've got a direction to go in," Pauley said.