Post by Auset on Dec 3, 2003 10:58:26 GMT -5
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Dec. 3) - Authorities have linked 12 shootings along a five-mile stretch of interstate around Columbus, including one that killed a woman and another that broke a window at an elementary school.
Four of the shootings - three at vehicles and one at the school last month - were from the same gun, Franklin County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Steve Martin said Tuesday.
Although ballistics tests could not link the rest of the shootings along Interstate 270, investigators ''are comfortable'' saying all 12 are connected, he said. He would not elaborate.
Officials at the elementary school hit by a bullet last month are keeping students inside for recess this week.
Parents held their children's hands as they walked past police officers into Hamilton Central Elementary on Wednesday.
Superintendent Bill Wittman said he believes the shooting at the school was not meant to harm anyone because it happened overnight, but parents were nervous.
Michelle Maupin broke from routine and drove her daughter to school Wednesday. ''We didn't put her on the bus because we felt it was too big of a target for whoever is doing this,'' she said.
Authorities have received more than 500 tips, but would not speculate about who might be responsible and would not release the type of weapon.
''We think it's not good for us to put that information out,'' Martin said. ''We don't want people to stop calling us because we put out that kind of information.''
The shootings began in May along Interstate 270, the freeway that circles Columbus. Many were not reported until after Nov. 25, when 62-year-old Gail Knisley was killed by a bullet that pierced the side of a car driven by a friend.
The latest shooting linked to the spree happened Nov. 11 at Hamilton Central Elementary in Obetz, about two miles from the freeway.
The school sits along a rural road lined with pastures, three schools, a church and houses decorated with Christmas lights.
Local businesses have established a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Customers at Hamilton General Store a half-mile from the school already had been sharing alternate driving routes, and Tuesday's news increased their fears, owner Beverly Evans said.
''People are trying to figure out how to stay off 270, but now people aren't sure if that will keep us safe,'' Evans said.
Tiffany Ellis, 32, said her son's second-grade classroom faces the front of the school, where the bullet struck.
''It makes me angry to be honest with you, that I have to drive down the road worrying about getting shot,'' Ellis said Tuesday.
Jimmy Eggers said he brought his 8-year-old son to the basketball practice Tuesday night because ''it's hard to stop your daily routine.'' But he added: ''It's definitely scary. You fear for your kid's life.''
At a gas station along the interstate about two miles from the school, emotions ranged from skittish to calm among drivers stopping to fill up.
''The odds are you're not going to get shot,'' said Tom Dixon, 56.
Richard Bailey, 32, disagreed. He uses I-270 each day to get to his job as a shipping manager at Rickenbacker Airport.
''I drive through with my cell phone in my hand every day,'' he said. ''It scares me.''
Meanwhile, a driver and passenger were shot and wounded Tuesday while traveling on the Ohio Turnpike in Milan, about 90 miles north of Columbus, but authorities would not say if there was any link to the other shootings.
The driver was taken by helicopter to Toledo's St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, where spokeswoman Donna Shore said no details would be released. The passenger was reported in stable condition at Fisher Titus Hospital in Norwalk.
Also Tuesday, a house was shot at near the freeway around Columbus, but Martin said investigators have not linked it to the other shootings.
Four of the shootings - three at vehicles and one at the school last month - were from the same gun, Franklin County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Steve Martin said Tuesday.
Although ballistics tests could not link the rest of the shootings along Interstate 270, investigators ''are comfortable'' saying all 12 are connected, he said. He would not elaborate.
Officials at the elementary school hit by a bullet last month are keeping students inside for recess this week.
Parents held their children's hands as they walked past police officers into Hamilton Central Elementary on Wednesday.
Superintendent Bill Wittman said he believes the shooting at the school was not meant to harm anyone because it happened overnight, but parents were nervous.
Michelle Maupin broke from routine and drove her daughter to school Wednesday. ''We didn't put her on the bus because we felt it was too big of a target for whoever is doing this,'' she said.
Authorities have received more than 500 tips, but would not speculate about who might be responsible and would not release the type of weapon.
''We think it's not good for us to put that information out,'' Martin said. ''We don't want people to stop calling us because we put out that kind of information.''
The shootings began in May along Interstate 270, the freeway that circles Columbus. Many were not reported until after Nov. 25, when 62-year-old Gail Knisley was killed by a bullet that pierced the side of a car driven by a friend.
The latest shooting linked to the spree happened Nov. 11 at Hamilton Central Elementary in Obetz, about two miles from the freeway.
The school sits along a rural road lined with pastures, three schools, a church and houses decorated with Christmas lights.
Local businesses have established a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Customers at Hamilton General Store a half-mile from the school already had been sharing alternate driving routes, and Tuesday's news increased their fears, owner Beverly Evans said.
''People are trying to figure out how to stay off 270, but now people aren't sure if that will keep us safe,'' Evans said.
Tiffany Ellis, 32, said her son's second-grade classroom faces the front of the school, where the bullet struck.
''It makes me angry to be honest with you, that I have to drive down the road worrying about getting shot,'' Ellis said Tuesday.
Jimmy Eggers said he brought his 8-year-old son to the basketball practice Tuesday night because ''it's hard to stop your daily routine.'' But he added: ''It's definitely scary. You fear for your kid's life.''
At a gas station along the interstate about two miles from the school, emotions ranged from skittish to calm among drivers stopping to fill up.
''The odds are you're not going to get shot,'' said Tom Dixon, 56.
Richard Bailey, 32, disagreed. He uses I-270 each day to get to his job as a shipping manager at Rickenbacker Airport.
''I drive through with my cell phone in my hand every day,'' he said. ''It scares me.''
Meanwhile, a driver and passenger were shot and wounded Tuesday while traveling on the Ohio Turnpike in Milan, about 90 miles north of Columbus, but authorities would not say if there was any link to the other shootings.
The driver was taken by helicopter to Toledo's St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, where spokeswoman Donna Shore said no details would be released. The passenger was reported in stable condition at Fisher Titus Hospital in Norwalk.
Also Tuesday, a house was shot at near the freeway around Columbus, but Martin said investigators have not linked it to the other shootings.
