Opening mail and filling up on gas. In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area over the last year, these two everyday tasks have taken on a significance far exceeding the everyday. Whereas last fall public service announcements cautioned people to be aware of "white powdery substances" in their mail, this fall people are being told to take a "zigzag path" when getting out of their cars at gas stations. This time last year, it was not an uncommon sight to see people opening their mail with gloves. Now people fear pumping their own gas, and if they decide to do it, they huddle behind any possible cover.
There are many similarities between last year's anthrax episodes and this month's sniper attacks. Both have had no discernable pattern to them other than the randomness of their victims. Both lack explanations and, for the time being, also appear to lack motives. Both have been anonymous, as the perpetrators have struck from afar, the anthrax sender using the U.S. Postal Service, the sniper using a high-powered .223 caliber rifle. Both have terrorized a population's sense of comfort in doing daily tasks.
To be honest, a large part of me hopes that the sniper attacks end similarly to the anthrax attacks. If the deranged individual who is responsible were to simply disappear, a sense of normalcy could return. Otherwise, justice will probably come at a high price. Tragically, it seems to me that the only way the sniper will ever be caught is if he or she strikes again.
According to all the most recent media reports, despite a vast mobilization of both federal and local law enforcement, legitimate leads have been frustratingly slow to develop. Ballistic analysis has linked the 10 attacks thus far, and a white van has been seen twice near crime scenes. Otherwise, the only other clues providing insight into the sniper stem from the attacks themselves, from their chillingly random and deliberate nature.
All of the victims have been shot once, some from hundreds of meters away, and the most recent attack sites have allowed the sniper a quick escape. The last three sites have been no further than 500 meters from major highways. Roadblocks were rapidly set up along Interstate 95 and the other major routes of escape near last Friday's attack, but to no avail. The sniper now appears cautious but determined, choosing victims for no other reason than convenience of killing and flight.
I wish I could say that I have faith in the ability of law enforcement officials to track down this killer before more blood is shed. Realistically, I think the greatest chance of catching this person is if he or she attempts to kill again. Of course I believe that the murderer of eight innocents should be brought to justice. But is that justice worth another death? Is it worth another 13 year-old gunned down while walking into school?
Just as the anthrax-laden letters stopped as randomly as they started, I hope the same happens with the sniper attacks. Although it would offend my sense of justice and my belief that evil in our society should not go unpunished, I have a hard time arguing that justice is worth more than the life of the next victim. So let's pray that there isn't one. Will Leahy is a history major from Chevy Chase, Md. He can be reached at wleahy@princeton.edu.
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