FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 14 -- Fairfax County police are investigating a possible link between a fatal shooting Monday night in Falls Church, Va., and the recent sniper attacks that have killed eight people and wounded two others in the Washington area.
Police reported a woman was killed just before 9:30 p.m. outside a Home Depot. Police said they are searching for a white Chevy Astro van that was seen heading east on Route 50 from Falls Church.
The Washington Beltway and bridges in the area have been shut down. Investigators hunting for the serial sniper said the release of a composite image of a white box truck seen in the area of at least two of the shootings has generated several tips from the public.
Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose Sunday encouraged anyone who might have serviced the suspected vehicle in the past to come forward with any information. The sniper has fired a single round into each of 10 victims, killing eight, since Oct. 2.
The composite image was released Saturday and posted on Web sites run by the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Authorities said they believe the vehicle's rear bumper is damaged. They said the truck has dark lettering on the side and emitted a loud noise, suggesting it is an older vehicle. "The puzzle has yet to come together," Moose said Sunday. "We are continuing to make progress."
Officials are offering a reward of $500,000 for details leading to an arrest and indictment.
Moose said authorities are working on a second sketch of a Chevrolet Astro minivan with a ladder on top reported seen leaving the site of Friday's killing in Fredericksburg, Va.
The FBI has asked the Pentagon to search its records for recently discharged soldiers who received training in sniper school, Time magazine reports in its latest edition. The schools teach snipers to work in tandemone as the spotter, the other as the shooterNEWLN:|end| Content: 02001000 02003000
