70s Gremlin May Provide Crucial Link in Virginia Sniper Case
Law enforcement officials in Waynesboro, Va., are investigating the possibility that a light-colored 1970s AMC Gremlin now in their possession may have been involved in a string of highway and other shootings in Virginia. Authorities believe that the Gremlin may play a key role in leading authorities to the sniper since, according to police, “running models of the car are extremely rare.”
Waynesboro, Va., - Law enforcement officials in Waynesboro, Va., are investigating the possibility that a light-colored 1970s AMC Gremlin now in their possession may have been involved in a string of highway and other shootings in Virginia.
The shooting incident, which occurred early Thursday morning, injured two drivers and hit at least six vehicles.
Now, police believe another shooting incident on North Commerce Avenue in Waynesboro, and a white van found with a bullet hole at a bank in the town, could be tied to the highway shootings.
Police officials told ABC News they believe the Gremlin was possibly involved in a shooting incident at the DuPont Community Credit Union located near Exit 94 of Interstate 64 early Thursday morning.
Authorities believe that the Gremlin may play a key role in leading authorities to the sniper since, according to police, “running models of the car are extremely rare.”
Security camera footage showing the suspect Gremlin.
The credit union is within 15 miles of the I-64 crime scenes, and sits less than a few hundred yards from the highway itself.
After reviewing bank surveillance video, Waynesboro Police identified the Gremlin associated with activity that took place in the parking lot between 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. Thursday morning.
Police recovered an abandoned Gremlin late Thursday evening in Albemarle County, Va. Walker said authorities know the vehicle owner's identity and the investigation is ongoing.
Law enforcement sources have stated that a high-powered rifle was involved in the I-64 shootings, and noted that the shooter or shooters appeared to be aiming for occupants, instead of targeting vehicles themselves.
The region of Virginia hit by the shooter or shooters lies about 2 1/2 hours outside Washington, D.C., an area that is all too familiar with sniper attacks.
The so-called Beltway shootings rocked the Washington metropolitan area in October 2002, when two snipers killed 10 people and wounded three others in Virginia, Maryland and the nation's capital.
Police said investigators were chasing more than 50 leads Thursday. They asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-2017.
