Cops pin hope on note left at shooting spot

Police hoped to hear from whoever left a message at the scene of a Virginia shooting in what could be a breakthrough in the hunt for the sni...

Police hoped to hear from whoever left a message at the scene of a Virginia shooting in what could be a breakthrough in the hunt for the sniper whose deadly attacks have traumatised the Washington area.

Montgomery County, Maryland, Police Chief Charles Moose revealed on Sunday that a message had been left at the scene of a shooting on Saturday near a restaurant in Ashland, Virginia and appealed to the person who left it to contact the police. ‘‘To the person who left us a message at the Ponderosa (restaurant), you gave us a telephone number. We want to talk to you, call us ,’’ Moose, the head of the regional investigation said.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that after Moose made his statement, a police spokeswoman said the chief meant what he said and that it should ‘‘make sense’’ to the person who left the message.

Story continues below this ad

Authorities believe the person who left the message is the sniper who has killed nine people in the Washington area since October 2, the Post said, citing sources.

It was clear that police were taking the message seriously. But some criminologists cautioned that it could also be a hoax.

Police in Prince George’s County, in Maryland, found the first known message from the sniper in Bowie, Maryland, where a 13-year-old was shot and critically injured. (Reuters)