Gun found in car is confirmed as gun used in attacks

The gun found in the back of the car of the two Washington sniper suspects has provided a ballistics match to the sniper's weapon.

John Allen Muhammed and 17-year-old John Lee Malvo were picked up in the car at a rest area yesterday.

So far, the former soldier has so far only been charged with minor firearms offences but this latest development means that he will be charged with the attacks.

Report Robert Moore in Washington said that tension has eased in the US capital. "On the streets of Washington, there is really a palpable sense of relief. The killings have deeply unsettled people here of course, changed all of our daily lives and patterns of behaviour. Now it seems all to be over according to the police and, of course, the heroes in this city are the investigators."