[Vision2020] Fw: Hignway Snipings
Andreas Schou
ophite at gmail.com
Tue Feb 2 16:54:55 PST 2010
Wayne --
This is a naked attempt to harass Christ Church with something that
had absolutely nothing to do with them. They've done plenty of things
wrong. This isn't one of them.
-- ACS
On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 4:50 PM, Art Deco <deco at moscow.com> wrote:
> Roger,
>
> Here's the question:
>
> Did the alleged snipers act purely on their own or were they
> encouraged/abetted by others?
>
> Why is this important?
>
> Because most of us would like to be assured with evidence that this was an
> isolated incident, one that is unlikely to be repeated, and there are not
> people in the county encouraging people to do similar things in the future.
>
> W.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: lfalen
> To: Art Deco ; Vision 2020
> Cc:
> Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 3:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Fw: Hignway Snipings
> Wayne
> I know people in all the areas you mentioned. None fit the description you
> gave. I will check with some of those that I know to try and verify your
> comments. I do not know and of the people mentioned in this case. I do agree
> with you that there should be a thorough investigation and prosecutions done
> of any wrong doing.
> Roger
> -----Original message-----
> From: "Art Deco" deco at moscow.com
> Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:57:58 -0800
> To: "Vision 2020" vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Fw: Hignway Snipings
>
>> One can only conclude, Roger, that you are unaware of some of the people
>> who populate parts of Latah County, particularly some in Deary, Bovill,
>> Princeton, Harvard, Kendrick, Juliaetta, etc As someone who has spent time
>> in some of the outer parts of the county, I can tell you I have meet some
>> really scary folks. If you talk to other people that work or recreate in
>> the upper Palouse River drainage, Emerald Creek drainage, Meadow Creek
>> drainage, etc, I am sure you will find these sentiments echoed.
>>
>>
>> Also, now that information/rumors about Austin Rickert's father and
>> grandfather, previous firings on chip trucks, unlicensed firearms dealers,
>> the amount of lawlessness in the Deary, Bovill, Harvard, etc areas are
>> circulating, many more questions have arisen, for example:
>>
>> Who built the fort from which the shots were fired?
>>
>> Why was the fort built in that exact location?
>>
>> Is this the first time chip trucks have been fired upon from the fort, or
>> fired upon from any other places in Latah county?
>>
>> When, on Friday, was the first report of possible sniping actually made?
>>
>> Were both firearms used purchased from licensed firearm dealers?
>>
>> Why did the LCSD wait so long to get a search warrant? Why did they not
>> get it immediately after at least one sniper's identity was known? Did that
>> wait result in the destruction or removal of any evidence?
>>
>> I can tell you this: There is a real angry buzz going on among a lot of
>> people about this incident which could have been really tragic. People want
>> some answers, not only to the kinds of questions I have been raising, but
>> other questions also. So far information released has been bare bones.
>> Even the information included in the initial charging affidavit
>> http://images.bimedia.net/documents/012510-hwy-shooting-Rickert.pdf is very
>> short on details.
>>
>> Also, both the LMT and the DN have been strongly criticized for not only
>> being more informative, but for the lack of aggressive reporting that this
>> incident calls for. For example, why hasn't Jack Buell been interviewed?
>> There is another person who could give most likely some very pertinent,
>> illuminating information should she consent to an interview, namely Nadine
>> Towne, mother of and custodial parent of Austin Rickert.
>>
>> What penal and other measures should be taken against the snipers depends
>> to some extent on whether they acted purely on their own or whether they
>> were encouraged/abetted in any way by others. I believe that should any
>> plea bargain be made, it should include the condition that the suspects
>> fully reveal the role of anyone else, no matter how small in these crimes,
>> and they reveal such information under polygraph testing.
>>
>> If there is evidence of anyone else being involved, perhaps a Magistrate's
>> Inquiry might be helpful in fully exploring this matter, particularly when
>> some people would be less inclined to lie under oath or even to give
>> information to investigators in the first place.
>>
>>
>> Information originating from Deary sources suggests two very diverse
>> opinions of the presence of the LCSD:
>>
>> 1. The department has not taken alleged criminal goings on there out
>> seriously enough in the last few years, and as a result many things that
>> should have been or should be reported aren't.
>>
>> 2. The less we see of the LCSD, the better.
>>
>> Wayne A. Fox
>> 1009 Karen Lane
>> PO Box 9421
>> Moscow, ID 83843
>>
>> waf at moscow.com
>> 208 882-7975
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: lfalen
>> To: Art Deco ; Vision 2020
>> Cc: Nathan Alford Daily News ; asolan at dnews.com ; dbauer at dnews.com ;
>> Murf Raquet Daily News ; billf at lmtribune.com ; sheriff at latah.id.us ;
>> pa at latah.id.us ; jmills at lmtribune.com
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10:54 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Fw: Hignway Snipings
>>
>>
>> While most of your comments are well taken, your last statement about
>> crackpot political/religious leaders is a bit of a stretch.
>> Roger
>> -----Original message-----
>> From: "Art Deco" deco at moscow.com
>> Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:07:26 -0800
>> To: "Vision 2020" vision2020 at moscow.com
>> Subject: [Vision2020] Fw: Hignway Snipings
>>
>> > Since this post appeared yesterday, I've received a number of
>> comments, including one which said I ought mind my own business since it was
>> just a couple of kids on a harmless lark and I ought trust the sheriff to
>> handle it.
>> >
>> > I don't believe it was a harmless lark, and I don't trust the sheriff,
>> left to his own devices and prejudices, to conduct a complete,
>> let-it-go-wherever-it-leads investigation, and I don't trust the sheriff to
>> release information found in the investigation that the public not only has
>> a right to know, but ought to know.
>> >
>> > In the first post I asked some questions. Here are some more:
>> >
>> > One shot passed between two young women, likely known to the
>> defendants, coming through the windshield of the vehicle they were in.
>> >
>> > Here are some unanswered questions and statements that leads me to
>> think that this action warrants more that an unlawful discharge of a firearm
>> charge, perhaps even an attempted murder charge.
>> >
>> > At one time in my life I was a superior marksman, I knew a bit about
>> firearms and was very adept at using them, including a .22 caliber rifle.
>> >
>> > Again I ask these questions because the news coverage has been more
>> than just weak and inadequate, but quite naive and a disservice to the
>> community.
>> >
>> > A WalMart quality .22 rifle even with a WalMart quality scope on it is
>> not a very accurate weapon. Even in the hands of a marksman, the accuracy
>> dwindles considerably in ranges past 100 feet. Hence if the snipers were
>> shooting at the vehicle with the two women at a range where accuracy is
>> questionable, then regardless if they were only aiming at the windshield,
>> then they were certainly endangering the lives of the occupants.
>> >
>> > What kind of 22. rifles were used in the assaults? Was it a WalMart
>> quality rifle or a high quality rifle equipped with a high quality scope or
>> laser sight? Where they using ordinary .22 caliber bullets or higher power
>> bullets? What position were they in while firing? Was the rifle resting on
>> something while firing? How good of marksmen were the shooters? The
>> answers to these and other questions are relevant to the probable accuracy
>> of the shots and thus the amount danger the two young women were placed in.
>> >
>> > Where did the suspects get the rifles? Where the rifles their own?
>> Their families? Were they provided, in part, by some third party? Who all
>> provided them with instruction on these firearms?
>> >
>> > What is the relationship between the two young women fired upon and
>> the shooters? Were the shooters aiming for the windshield or one of the
>> occupants?
>> >
>> > Before we start calling this a harmless lark and calling for leniency
>> for two kids, we need to know a lot more information. I think that we would
>> be best served by having the FBI, DHS, and ATF involved heavily in this
>> investigation so that there is a higher probability that the relevant facts
>> will be found, that the facts will be made known to the public, and to make
>> sure that some of our local crackpot political/religious groups were not
>> involved in some way and have not groomed some more gullible, not-too-bright
>> kids to pull off something similar.
>> >
>> > Wayne A. Fox
>> > 1009 Karen Lane
>> > PO Box 9421
>> > Moscow, ID 83843
>> >
>> > waf at moscow.com
>> > 208 882-7975
>> >
>> > ______________________________________
>> >
>> > Alleged Deary teen vehicle shooter charged with bomb possession
>> > Posted on: Monday, February 01, 2010, Moscow-Pullman Daily News
>> >
>> > Court records identify Austin Rickert as the Deary teen who was taken
>> back into custody and charged with an additional felony after a pipe bomb
>> was found inside a residence Friday.
>> >
>> > Rickert is accused of being involved in a series of vehicle shootings
>> on State Highway 8 near Helmer last month.
>> >
>> > He was charged with unlawful possession of destructive devices or
>> bombs, according the Idaho State Judiciary's online repository records.
>> >
>> > Following the discovery of the bomb, the area was evacuated and the
>> Spokane Bomb Squad responded to the scene and neutralized the explosive. The
>> search was part of an ongoing investigation involving Rickert and fellow
>> alleged shooter Austin Medlock. The two 14-year-old Deary High School
>> freshmen were charged with two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm at
>> a vehicle during a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse last Monday. The
>> Jan. 22 incident shut down a portion of State Highway 8 between Deary and
>> Bovill for several hours. Latah County Magistrate John Judge allowed for the
>> release of Medlock and Rickert into the custody of their parents on the
>> condition they not be out of sight of a parent except for when sleeping or
>> attending school. They also were prohibited from being around firearms and
>> will wear electronic monitoring devices, among other conditions.
>> >
>> > The teens allegedly shot as many as 20 vehicles with a .22 caliber
>> rifle and a crossbow. The sheriff's office was continuing to investigate the
>> case this week to determine if additional charges needed to be filed.
>> >
>> > The teens allegedly discharged the weapons from a three-level,
>> 10-foot-tall fort located near the highway, according to court records.
>> Casings from the .22 and other evidence were apparently discovered nearby,
>> according to the document.
>> >
>> > Medlock and Rickert are scheduled to appear in court at 11 a.m.
>> Wednesday.
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: Art Deco
>> > To: Vision 2020
>> > Cc: jmills at lmtribune.com ; Nathan Alford Daily News ; asolan at dnews.com
>> ; Murf Raquet Daily News ; dbauer at dnews.com ; billf at lmtribune.com ;
>> sheriff at latah.id.us ; pa at latah.id.us
>> > Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 1:34 PM
>> > Subject: Hignway Snipings
>> >
>> >
>> > I have to take the recent snipings at chip trucks and personal
>> vehicles allegedly by two Deary area teenage suspects as serious business.
>> I have some questions, however, that have not been answered by newspaper
>> accounts or press releases.
>> >
>> > 1. According to the initial press release of the incidents, the
>> first reported sniping occurred last Friday just before 1:00pm. yet the
>> highway wasn't closed until about 3:45pm. What's going on here? Shouldn't
>> the highway have been closed as soon as possible? Couldn't some of the
>> snipings been prevented by such a move? When snipings occur elsewhere,
>> isn't sealing off and closing the sniping area done immediately? It now
>> appears the alleged snipers went through a police roadblock unchallenged
>> around 2:45pm, and before the highway was closed.
>> >
>> > 2. Prior to the revelation about the possession of a pipe bomb by
>> one of the suspects, this was still a very serious matter. At least twenty
>> vehicles were fired upon. A bullet smashed the windshield of a passenger
>> car and passed between two young women inside. These were local Deary area
>> women apparently known by the suspects. Deary is not a big place, hence
>> doesn't it seem likely that the shooters knew exactly who they were firing
>> upon in this case? The big question: Why were only two charges initially
>> filed against the suspects?
>> >
>> > 3. With the finding of the pipe bomb, this becomes a much more
>> serious matter demanding a much closer, serious investigation, perhaps aided
>> by the FBI, DHS, and ATF. What explosives were used in making the pipe
>> bomb? How did the suspect obtain the explosives? What was the initial
>> source of the explosives? Did the suspect act totally alone? Or was he
>> aided and abetted by others including adults including members of some of
>> the local crackpot political/religious groups? Are there any ties (like
>> between friends or relatives) between the suspect and some of these crackpot
>> groups? Was the suspect not only encouraged by others but given material
>> assistance and instruction? I don't know the answers, but for the sake of
>> local and perhaps national security, these answers ought be found and
>> reported.
>> >
>> > 4. The press coverage has been meager. If this had happened on
>> I-90 in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County would be swarmed by national media,
>> and at least some of the above kinds of questions (and many more) asked and
>> perhaps answered. In addition, the LMT revealed the name of the pipe bomb
>> suspect. The DN didn't claiming that the sheriff wouldn't tell them,
>> although it appeared that the LMT story was their source. Is it the sheriff
>> who withheld information or the DN, either party perhaps protecting someone
>> they considered needed protecting?
>> >
>> > Again, I think this is a very serious matter. This is not a private
>> incident, it is a blatant public crime. The public has a right to know the
>> details.
>> >
>> > Before making up my mind about what I think should happen to the
>> suspects or how area law enforcement can change so that they can
>> intelligently respond to these types of incidents much faster, I await more
>> information. I hope that it is forthcoming. I'd hate to think that we are
>> being subjected to another Steven Sitler type cover-up.
>> >
>> >
>> > Wayne A. Fox
>> > 1009 Karen Lane
>> > PO Box 9421
>> > Moscow, ID 83843
>> >
>> > waf at moscow.com
>> > 208 882-7975
>> >
>> > __________________________________________________________
>> > Pipe bomb found at teen shooting suspect's home
>> > By Joel Mills Of The Tribune
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Latah County officials rearrest 14-year-old after executing search
>> warrant as part of shooting investigation
>> >
>> > One of two juveniles arrested in connection with the shooting of up to
>> 20 vehicles on State Highway 8 last week was retaken into custody after
>> investigators found a pipe bomb during a search of his room Thursday,
>> according to the Latah County Sheriff's Office.
>> >
>> > Latah County Prosecutor William Thompson Jr. said authorities
>> rearrested Austin James Rickert Thursday after a PVC pipe stuffed with
>> fireworks powder and primed with a fuse was found in the room he uses at his
>> grandfather's residence on Forks Road near Helmer.
>> >
>> > Thompson said the bomb was likely made before the Jan. 22 shooting
>> incident that lasted for more than three hours and temporarily closed the
>> highway between Deary and Bovill.
>> >
>> > "We don't have anything to suggest he actually made this device or
>> possessed this device subsequent to his release," Thompson said.
>> >
>> > Authorities allege Rickert and his friend Austin Blake Medlock used
>> two .22-caliber rifles and a crossbow to shoot at vehicles from a
>> three-story fort on Rickert's grandfather's property, where the boy
>> sometimes stays.
>> >
>> > Most of the bullets hit tractor-trailers, but at least two passenger
>> vehicles were struck. No one was injured, but one round passed through the
>> passenger compartment of one car, narrowly missing two girls.
>> >
>> > Thompson said Rickert's father lives at the Forks Road residence full
>> time. Rickert lives with his mother in Deary but has a room reserved for him
>> at the Forks Road residence, he said.
>> >
>> > Deputies were executing a search warrant as part of their
>> investigation into the shootings, according to a news release issued Friday
>> afternoon by sheriff's Lt. Brannon Jordan. Officials evacuated the area
>> around the home, and a bomb squad from Spokane neutralized the device,
>> Jordan said.
>> >
>> > Rickert appeared in court Friday, where he was charged with felony
>> unlawful possession of bombs or destructive devices. Earlier this week,
>> Rickert and Medlock - both 14-year-old freshmen at Deary High School - were
>> charged with unlawfully discharging a firearm at a vehicle in connection
>> with the Jan. 22 shootings.
>> >
>> > Latah County Magistrate John Judge released Medlock and Rickert to
>> their parents last week, on the condition neither leave the sight of one of
>> their parents; that all guns be removed from their homes; that they not
>> touch a firearm; that the parents take them to and from school; that they
>> both wear electronic monitoring devices; and they agree to be searched at
>> any time by authorities.
>> >
>> > Thompson said Rickert's rearrest is a separate issue and was not due
>> to a violation of Judge's conditions for release.
>> >
>> > Rickert will remain in the Latah County Jail for the weekend, and
>> probably until scheduling hearings on Wednesday for both juveniles, Thompson
>> said.
>> >
>> > Lewis County Magistrate Stephen Calhoun, the regular juvenile judge
>> for Latah County, will handle hearings for Rickert and Medlock from now on,
>> Thompson said.
>> >
>> > He said while the investigation into the shootings and the pipe bomb
>> is ongoing, there is nothing to suggest the teens were planning a larger
>> attack.
>> >
>> > "What happened last Friday was really serious and really dangerous,"
>> Thompson said. "We're waiting to see if there is anything else behind this."
>> >
>> > ---
>> >
>> > Mills may be contacted at jmills at lmtribune.com or (208) 883-0564.
>> >
>> >
>> > ___________________________________
>> >
>> > Teen charged in shootings arrested after bomb found
>> > Spokane Bomb Squad neutralizes device found in suspect's residence
>> > Staff report
>> >
>> > Posted on: Saturday, January 30, 2010
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > One of the two teens charged with felonies in last week's Highway 8
>> shootings near Helmer is back in custody after a pipe bomb was discovered
>> inside the residence following a search warrant.
>> >
>> > Following the discovery of the bomb, the area was evacuated and the
>> Spokane Bomb Squad responded to the scene and neutralized the explosive.
>> >
>> > The search was part of an ongoing investigation involving alleged
>> shooters Austin B. Medlock and Austin J. Rickert. The two 14-year-old Deary
>> High School freshmen each were charged with two counts of unlawful discharge
>> of a firearm at a vehicle during a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse on
>> Monday. The Jan. 22 incident shut down a portion of State Highway 8 between
>> Deary and Bovill for several hours.
>> >
>> > Latah County dispatcher Jenny Bryant said the department is not
>> releasing the name of which of the boys was taken back into custody as of
>> Friday evening. The teen has been charged with unlawful possession of bombs
>> or destructive devices along with the two other felony counts.
>> >
>> > Latah County Magistrate John Judge allowed for the release of Medlock
>> and Rickert into the custody of their parents on the condition they not be
>> out of sight of a parent except for when sleeping or attending school. They
>> also were prohibited from being around firearms and will wear electronic
>> monitoring devices, among other conditions.
>> >
>> > The teens allegedly shot as many as 20 vehicles with a .22 caliber
>> rifle and a crossbow. The sheriff's office was continuing to investigate the
>> case this week to determine if additional charges needed to be filed.
>> >
>> > The teens allegedly discharged the weapons from a three-level,
>> 10-foot-tall fort located near the highway, according to court records.
>> Casings from the .22 and other evidence were apparently discovered nearby,
>> according to the document.
>> >
>> > The two teens allegedly left the fort around 2:45 p.m. to attend
>> basketball practice in Deary and actually went through the vehicle
>> identification section of the roadblock outside of Helmer. They were
>> eventually taken into custody separately later Friday evening.
>> >
>> > Medlock and Rickert are scheduled to again appear in court at 11 a.m.
>> Wednesday.
>> >
>> > _______________________________
>> >
>> > Courtesy of today's (January 23, 2010) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
>> >
>> > ------------------------------------------------------
>> >
>> > Boys charged for vehicle shootings near Helmer
>> > No one injured during Friday afternoon incident
>> > Staff report
>> >
>> > Posted on: Saturday, January 23, 2010
>> >
>> > Two male juveniles were in custody at the Latah County Jail on Friday
>> > night for allegedly shooting several vehicles on State Highway 8 near
>> > Helmer.
>> >
>> > The boys have been charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm at a
>> > vehicle, a felony, according to a media release from Latah County
>> > Sheriff's Office Lt. Brannon Jordan. Officials did not release the
>> boys'
>> > names Friday.
>> >
>> > No injuries have been reported related to the shootings, the release
>> states.
>> >
>> > The sheriff's department began receiving reports of vehicles being
>> struck
>> > by gunfire in the Forks Road area east of Helmer at about 1 p.m.
>> Friday.
>> > Dispatcher Nathan Reetz said the shooting continued over the course of
>> the
>> > afternoon, with about 20 shots fired. Officials believe about 10
>> vehicles
>> > were struck, though there is not yet an official count.
>> >
>> > Reetz said about eight of the vehicles were semi trucks. Dispatcher
>> Marci
>> > Williams said the semis were operated by Jack Buell Trucking.
>> >
>> > Sheriff's officials and Idaho State Police shut down the highway from
>> 3:44
>> > p.m. to 4:31 p.m. as they secured the area of the shootings. Officials
>> did
>> > not locate anyone on the scene, but later identified the location from
>> > which the shots were fired and identified the juveniles, according to
>> the
>> > report.
>> >
>> > The boys were taken into custody at 7:20 p.m. and 8:34 p.m.,
>> respectively,
>> > Reetz said. He said no further information about the suspects was
>> > available as of press time Friday.
>> >
>> > Information about what type of firearm was used in the shootings also
>> was
>> > unavailable.
>> >
>> > The incident remains under investigation, according to the release,
>> but
>> > the sheriff's office has determined there is no further threat.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
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