Trail of Terror: The D.C. Sniper Shootings

Photos: The D.C. Sniper’s Trail of Terror. Relive the gut-wrenching days when the sniper killings froze D.C. in absolute fear.

Sniper Horror Grips D.C. Metro Area - Ten dead. Three wounded. Unlucky number 13 marked the tally of people shot by a mysterious killer dubbed the “D.C. Sniper” by headline writers and TV producers. It all took place in a three-week period just over seven years ago: a trail of blood leading police into multiple counties and states. With John Allen Muhammad’s execution by lethal injection Tuesday night, many are reminded of the events that led to his punishment and to a nation’s sigh of relief.

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Sniper Horror Grips D.C. Metro Area - Ten dead. Three wounded. Unlucky number 13 marked the tally of people shot by a mysterious killer dubbed the “D.C. Sniper” by headline writers and TV producers. It all took place in a three-week period just over seven years ago: a trail of blood leading police into multiple counties and states. With John Allen Muhammad’s execution by lethal injection Tuesday night, many are reminded of the events that led to his punishment and to a nation’s sigh of relief.

Teen Accomplice - The bloody trail would eventually lead to an arrest of not one suspect, but two – Muhammad and teenager Lee Malvo. But in the long days that left the public fearful of random attacks, no one knew who was preying on innocent citizens. The shooting that would later take down Muhammad and Malvo claimed an Alabama liquor store clerk’s life on Sept. 21, 2002. Cops found evidence there that helped them crack the serial killings that followed in 22 frightening days.

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Teen Accomplice - The bloody trail would eventually lead to an arrest of not one suspect, but two – Muhammad and teenager Lee Malvo. But in the long days that left the public fearful of random attacks, no one knew who was preying on innocent citizens. The shooting that would later take down Muhammad and Malvo claimed an Alabama liquor store clerk’s life on Sept. 21, 2002. Cops found evidence there that helped them crack the serial killings that followed in 22 frightening days.

The First Killings - The first of the Beltway killings took place Oct. 2. in Glenmont, Md. By the next morning when four men and women died from single-bullet wounds within a barely two-hour period, authorities found themselves handling a community under siege. One victim had been mowing the lawn when he fell wounded. Another sat reading on a public bench. But the shooter wasn’t done: At 9:15 p.m. the same day, a retired carpenter was shot while walking a D.C. street.

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The First Killings - The first of the Beltway killings took place Oct. 2. in Glenmont, Md. By the next morning when four men and women died from single-bullet wounds within a barely two-hour period, authorities found themselves handling a community under siege. One victim had been mowing the lawn when he fell wounded. Another sat reading on a public bench. But the shooter wasn’t done: At 9:15 p.m. the same day, a retired carpenter was shot while walking a D.C. street.

D.C. Area Lockdown - A number of schools went into lockdown, with no recess or outdoor gym classes. Parents picked up children early, often refusing to let them take their normal walk home. Charles Moose, the Montgomery County Police Chief held news conferences to discuss the investigation.

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D.C. Area Lockdown - A number of schools went into lockdown, with no recess or outdoor gym classes. Parents picked up children early, often refusing to let them take their normal walk home. Charles Moose, the Montgomery County Police Chief held news conferences to discuss the investigation.

13-Year-Old Shot - On Oct. 7, 13-year-old Ian Brown was shot in the chest as he was dropped off at middle school. A relative rushed him to emergency, where he was saved. “Shooting a kid,” Moose told reporters. “It’s getting to be really, really personal now.”

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13-Year-Old Shot - On Oct. 7, 13-year-old Ian Brown was shot in the chest as he was dropped off at middle school. A relative rushed him to emergency, where he was saved. “Shooting a kid,” Moose told reporters. “It’s getting to be really, really personal now.”

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"Call Me God" - A tarot card, reading, “Call me God” was found near the most recent crime scene. “For you Mr. Police,” was part of the message included, along with the words: “Do not release to the press.”

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"Call Me God" - A tarot card, reading, “Call me God” was found near the most recent crime scene. “For you Mr. Police,” was part of the message included, along with the words: “Do not release to the press.”

Close Call in Baltimore - Muhammad had what must’ve been a startlingly close encounter with a Baltimore cop the day after a 13-year-old was shot. The officer noted Muhammad’s Washington state driver’s license with a vehicle carrying New Jersey tags. Because Muhammad had no warrants, the officer let him go. The terror continued.

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Close Call in Baltimore - Muhammad had what must’ve been a startlingly close encounter with a Baltimore cop the day after a 13-year-old was shot. The officer noted Muhammad’s Washington state driver’s license with a vehicle carrying New Jersey tags. Because Muhammad had no warrants, the officer let him go. The terror continued.

Introducing Chief Charles Moose - With Moose leading the investigation, the ATF, FBI and Secret Service added resources to the man-hunt. Many D.C.-area residents looked over their shoulders while carrying out such routine necessities as pumping gas, since stations were among the crime scenes. Some shootings may have taken place from over 100 yards away. Many stayed indoors.

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Introducing Chief Charles Moose - With Moose leading the investigation, the ATF, FBI and Secret Service added resources to the man-hunt. Many D.C.-area residents looked over their shoulders while carrying out such routine necessities as pumping gas, since stations were among the crime scenes. Some shootings may have taken place from over 100 yards away. Many stayed indoors.

The Nightmare Ends - The nightmare ended Oct. 24, 2002 at a rest stop near Myersville, Md. A trucker tipped off cops to what he thought was the suspiciously parked car where Muhammad, 41, and Malvo, 17, slept. The vehicle reportedly contained a homemade mounting apparatus that could be used to support high-powered rifles.

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The Nightmare Ends - The nightmare ended Oct. 24, 2002 at a rest stop near Myersville, Md. A trucker tipped off cops to what he thought was the suspiciously parked car where Muhammad, 41, and Malvo, 17, slept. The vehicle reportedly contained a homemade mounting apparatus that could be used to support high-powered rifles.

Sigh of Relief - D.C., Maryland and Virginia breathed a sigh of relief after the arrest of Muhammad and Malvo. Signs went up across the area thanking local law enforcement, people held vigils and slowly resumed their lives without the cloud of fear they had lived with for the past three weeks.

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Sigh of Relief - D.C., Maryland and Virginia breathed a sigh of relief after the arrest of Muhammad and Malvo. Signs went up across the area thanking local law enforcement, people held vigils and slowly resumed their lives without the cloud of fear they had lived with for the past three weeks.

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Chief Moose Pens Book - Before the trial, Moose worked to publicize his book recounting the investigation. The move drew criticism from some, including Assistant Prince William Commonwealth’s Attorney James Willett, who told The Washington Post: “Personally, I don't understand why someone who’s been in law enforcement his whole life would potentially damage our case or compromise a jury pool by doing this.”

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Chief Moose Pens Book - Before the trial, Moose worked to publicize his book recounting the investigation. The move drew criticism from some, including Assistant Prince William Commonwealth’s Attorney James Willett, who told The Washington Post: “Personally, I don't understand why someone who’s been in law enforcement his whole life would potentially damage our case or compromise a jury pool by doing this.”

D.C. Sniper Executed - John Allen Muhammad, convicted of killing 10 people in the Washington, D.C. area in 2002, was executed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Muhammad's then-teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, is currently serving life in prison.

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Serial Killer Identity Surprises - Many had assumed the killer to be a single, White loner-type. As their 2003 court dates approached, Black communities buzzed over images of a brown-skinned Gulf War vet and the Jamaican kid who he called a son. In court, Malvo’s fingerprint from the September liquor store shooting was used to connect him to an October death.

Call for Death<bR> Penalty for Malvo - Lee Boyd Malvo remains in prison serving a life sentence after being convicted of carrying out one of the most terrifying crime sprees in American history. A growing number of activists believe Malvo should be put to death like John Allen Muhammad.

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Malvo Attempts to Take Fall - At one Virginia trial, Malvo would claim that he was the triggerman in the shootings. At another proceeding he said he had lied, hoping to spare Muhammad from receiving the death penalty. Malvo also testified in court that Muhammad’s plan had several phases that included killing six people a day for 30 days and recruiting more young people from places like the YMCA to join in the random killings as an act against the government.

Possible Motive: The Sniper's Ex-Wife - Despite both testimony and speculation, no firm motive for the killings was ever established. The convicted men made various claims, with Muhammad still denying guilt even as the clock ticked toward his Nov. 10 execution. His ex-wife Mildred claimed that she was an eventual target of Muhammad’s.

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Possible Motive: The Sniper's Ex-Wife - Despite both testimony and speculation, no firm motive for the killings was ever established. The convicted men made various claims, with Muhammad still denying guilt even as the clock ticked toward his Nov. 10 execution. His ex-wife Mildred claimed that she was an eventual target of Muhammad’s.

Twisted Plot - One version of the plot suggested that Muhammad shot the others so that he could kill his ex and lead cops to believe she was a random victim. Allegedly, she’d caused Muhammad to be estranged from his children. Meanwhile, Muhammad’s “son” Malvo reportedly left written notes that suggested loyalty to Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. But references to "The Matrix" film in Malvo’s notes caused the evidence to be taken less seriously.

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Twisted Plot - One version of the plot suggested that Muhammad shot the others so that he could kill his ex and lead cops to believe she was a random victim. Allegedly, she’d caused Muhammad to be estranged from his children. Meanwhile, Muhammad’s “son” Malvo reportedly left written notes that suggested loyalty to Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. But references to "The Matrix" film in Malvo’s notes caused the evidence to be taken less seriously.

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Convicted - Both Muhammad and Malvo were convicted of carrying out one of the most terrifying crime sprees in American history. Malvo is serving life in prison, despite the argument from more than a few that he should be put to death like Muhammad.

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Convicted - Both Muhammad and Malvo were convicted of carrying out one of the most terrifying crime sprees in American history. Malvo is serving life in prison, despite the argument from more than a few that he should be put to death like Muhammad.

Charles Dutton Plays Charles Moose - A cable TV film based on the terrifying murders was broadcast on the USA network in 2003. Charles Dutton portrayed Chief Moose. Today, Moose, 53, is retired and living in North Carolina.

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Charles Dutton Plays Charles Moose - A cable TV film based on the terrifying murders was broadcast on the USA network in 2003. Charles Dutton portrayed Chief Moose. Today, Moose, 53, is retired and living in North Carolina.

Executed - John Allen Muhammad was executed on Tuesday, November 10 at 9:11 p.m. His family huddled outside the prison and prayed during his death by lethal injection.

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Executed - John Allen Muhammad was executed on Tuesday, November 10 at 9:11 p.m. His family huddled outside the prison and prayed during his death by lethal injection.