Suspects Arrested in Sniper Case

With the two arrests made yesterday morning at a Frederick, Maryland, roadside stop, we believe the area sniper killings have been stopped.

For three weeks, the people along the Maryland/Washington, D.C./Virginia corridor have lived in fear, and I am personally appreciative of the fierce determination on their parts—parents and children alike—not to panic and to assist the efforts of law enforcement in whatever way they could to solve the case. We discovered that we lived in a town of courageous and patient people.

With the killings behind us, I would first like to remember those who died and who were so grievously wounded. On behalf of every man and woman in the FBI, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the families of the victims. We feel and share your loss profoundly.

I would also like to thank all law enforcement agencies and other specialists, both across the country and here in our area, for their dedication to the investigation. It was, in so many ways, an unprecedented, large-scale effort by local, state and federal agencies working toward a single goal. The unusual elements of the case brought particular challenges, but those challenges were overcome, and police and members of the sniper task force were able to do the job they do so well.

Much remains to be done in pending legal and forensic arenas, but we are confident today that the killing is over and justice will be served.