Washington sniper hunted after sixth murder

Scores of police searched the Washington suburbs today for a sniper who they believe randomly targeted five people, killing each with a single shot.

Investigators were also trying to determine if another shooting, in the centre of the US capital, was related.

Tests on the bullets and wounds indicated all five suburban victims were hit from a distance, likely with .223- calibre bullets from an assault or hunting rifle, said Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose.

The Washington victim, 72-year-old Pascal Charlot, was shot once in the chest as he stood on a street corner on Thursday night. It wasn’t immediately clear if the deaths were related.

“Nothing has been ruled out,” said Washington police spokesman Sergeant Joe Gentile. “There is nothing at this point to indicate a connection. However, obviously we will take a close, hard look as to whether they are related.”

As schools reopened Montgomery County with extra patrols, residents were fearful. Calls poured in to emergency services dispatchers about loud noises, but all the reports were investigated and there were no further shootings, Moose said.

“People are on edge,” Moose said. “We’re all human. We’re all afraid.”

There were no known witnesses to the shootings, even though they happened in daylight in public places. All the Montgomery County victims died within five miles of each other.

Moose said the murders had not definitely been linked but it was a strong possibility. None of the victims appeared to have been robbed, and police said race did not appear to be a motive. The victims were Hispanic and white one was a native of India.

“There’s still no information to lead us to think our victims are associated,” Moose said Friday. “They don’t appear to be anyone’s enemies, just random targets.”

“We do have someone that so far has been very accurate in what they are attempting to do, and so we probably have a skilled shooter,” Moose said.

Officers were following more than 150 leads, he said, and they collected security camera videos from businesses near the shooting scenes. Moose declined to release details.

Authorities also set up a tip hot line and offered a reward of up to €55,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect or suspects.