Calls flood in after 'sniper' truck photo

An image of a white truck believed to have been used by the serial sniper stalking Washington has generated a huge response from the public, police said today.

Investigators have received calls with information from across the US since the photo-fit picture was released last night, said police chief Charles Moose, who is leading the hunt for the attacker.

The box-type truck with a damaged rear bumper was seen being driven erratically near four of the shooting locations.

It is the first image to be issued as part of the on-going investigation into the shootings, which have left eight people dead and two injured in the last two weeks.

“We’re putting information out, asking people to have their memories jogged,” said Mr Moose.

The sketch shows a flat-fronted vehicle with roll-up rear door and unidentified black or purple writing on the side.

The registration number is not known.

A separate image of a Chevrolet Astro-type van seen after Friday’s attack at a petrol station in Virginia which killed a father of six is currently being constructed, he said.

Many of the residents in metropolitan Washington are staying locked in their homes to avoid becoming a target as fear grips the US capital’s suburbs.

Starbucks coffee has removed outdoor seating in 50 stores in the area.

Drivers have been advised to bend or crouch at petrol station, after four of the victims were shot while filling their cars.

Organisers cancelled America’s biggest girls’ soccer competition, which was due to attract thousands of people to the area this weekend.

“The lives of the players, parents, referees and volunteers are far more valuable than any game or tournament,” a spokeswoman for the Washington Area Girls Soccer League said.

A massive security operation was under way to protect spectators at today’s American football game between the Washington Redskins and the New Orleans Saints.

The latest victim, Kenneth Bridges, was killed at a Virginia petrol station on Friday morning in sight of a policeman.

The 53-year-old, from Philadelphia, was in the area on a business trip when he was shot once in the upper left back.

“Ken was a loving husband, father of six children and an outstanding citizen of the Philadelphia community,” said friend Gary Shepherd.

“While no family should have to endure this type of tragedy, the Bridges family hopes that this killer is brought to justice as quickly as possible.”

Investigators said the attacker apparently picked victims at random and fired from a distance with a high-powered hunting or military-style rifle.

The youngest victim, a 13-year-old boy who was shot as his aunt dropped him off at school on Monday, remains in a critical but stable condition.

Investigators found a Tarot card inscribed with the message, “Dear Policeman: I am God” beside a spent bullet casing about 150 yards from where the boy was shot.

There are no known witnesses of the sniper, who shot all his victims in public places.

Police are trawling through video surveillance tapes from the shooting scenes to look for similarities.