Police say bus driver killer done by the serial sniper

Police say bus driver killer done by the serial sniper WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (KUNA) -- Police officials said on Wednesday the killing of a bus driver in Maryland early on Tuesday has been confirmed as another murder by the serial sniper who has now killed a total of 10 people in the region around the national capital. In his single-bullet attacks that began on October 2 the sniper has also wounded three persons. His targets have included men, women, children, blacks, whites and Hispanics. The confirmation came after ballistics tests showed that the bullet used was the same .223 caliber used in all the shootings. Meanwhile, at the White House, presidential spokesman Ari Fleischer said the federal government had deployed more than 1,300 law enforcement personnel to the Washington area to help in the hunt for the killer. He emphasized that the federal government would not take over the investigation, which he said "remains a joint operation. It is a joint command.
" State and local police forces in Maryland, Virginia and Washington have been cooperating in the hunt since the first killing. Fleischer said the federal government had dedicated to the hunt 454 agents, 59 inspectors, nine dog handlers and 101 laboratory, computer and intelligence analysts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. In addition, the U.S. Customs Service had dedicated one Blackhawk helicopter and two other helicopters, the Secret Service had provided 50 special agents, the FBI I had provided 600 people. Agents had also been loaned by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service. Fleischer said "These are very trying times for the families, very difficult times, and the president has been monitoring it very, very closely. "He has tremendous compassion and care for what has happened. No one, no matter where you live in the United States, can fail to be affected by the fears that this has instilled in our communities. "This is why the president feels so strongly that the federal government has an important responsibility - and they are carrying it out - to be helpful.
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