I realize several of us are global here and you just might not care. We always hear about things happening and have like no clue where that place is or have no connection to the happening. It kinda goes over us and we don't really pay as much attention to it. Sometimes though - someone speaks up and says you know that crazy place on the news you heard about - I'm from there - and it makes you pay more attention because all of a sudden you have a connection to that story. Let me introduce you to your connection to this one - I live half an hour away from Charleston and I am there at least once a week on errands and such. I work about 15 minutes away from there and this nut could easily come to my ity bity town. For those of you who believe in God would you please say an extra prayer for our community. I am not freaked about this yet- but I sure am glad I filled up my car with gas before I realized this! Here is the story:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Aug. 15) - Three people have been shot to death outside convenience stores in and around West Virginia's capital in the past week, and authorities said Friday that a single shooter might be responsible.

``We are now investigating into what could be a possible serial-type murder,'' said Kanawha County Sheriff Dave Tucker.

Kanawha County Chief Deputy Phil Morris said he was concerned that the Charleston shootings resembled last year's sniper shootings in the Washington, D.C., area. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives joined state and local authorities in the hunt for the shooter.

In the West Virginia slayings, two victims were shot in the head and another was hit in the neck, Tucker said. The shooter was more than 30 yards away from all three, officials said, and they believe a rifle was used in the attacks.

All three were gunned down outside convenience stores, including a man killed while talking on a pay phone and a woman killed while pumping gas.

In addition, authorities are not ruling out a possible connection a March shooting in which the victim was shot twice in the chest and killed outside a supermarket.

Police advised residents Friday not to travel alone to convenience stores and to be watchful.

Police said Jeanie Patton, 31, of Campbells Creek and Okey Meadows, 26, of Cedar Grove were killed at different stores outside Charleston Thursday. Gary Carrier Jr., 34, of South Charleston was shot in the head and killed Sunday night at a pay phone outside a convenience store on Charleston's west side.

``The investigation so far is that they did not know one another,'' Tucker said.

Patton was shot while pumping gas in Campbells Creek, less than 10 miles east of Charleston. Meadows was killed about an hour later and 10 miles further east outside a convenience store in Cedar Grove on U.S. 60.

Morris said police believe a rifle was used in each shooting because the shot that killed Meadows was fired from 60 to 70 yards away, while Patton was shot from about 30 to 40 yards away.

``That was a difficult shot, no question about it,'' Morris said about Meadows' slaying. ``It's unlikely a handgun would be used. We do feel it was a smaller type caliber.''

Carrier was shot from a similar distance, officials said.

Witnesses told police that a black pickup truck was parked partially on the lot at the Cedar Grove store, and beforehand had moved from one side of the lot to another.

``Something just didn't seem right about that pickup,'' Morris said. ``Right after the shooting it sped out from the parking lot, spinning its tires.''

A black pickup also was seen in the Campbells Creek area, Morris said.

Tucker said all police agencies in the county have increased patrols, and authorities were scrutinizing surveillance camera video from both stores.

``We're a quiet, peaceful town of 862 people and nothing ever happens,'' said Carolyn Greene Bennett, Cedar Grove's town recorder. ``U.S. Route 60 is the only road through town, but we usually just watch the traffic go on by. Nothing ever happens here.''



08/15/03 19:58 EDT


Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Oh Sabrina, I know how terrified you must be, and I pray for you,
the families of the victims, and that they will catch this sick murderer
before anyone else is gunned down.
I have to say too though that you don't have to live around there to be
in great danger. Last year during the time of the DC shootings, my
daughter and some friends went on a trip that took them right through
that area, and then their car broke down! They were so vulnerable,
I am so thankful they came home safe. I still shake every time I think about
it.
And everyone on this forum is so much like family, I think they all care and
are concerned for your community's safety.

be careful, Sabrina. ive heard about this on the news and it made me a little frightened. even though its pretty far away from me, you never know how some local fruitcake might be influenced by it.

where i live though, youre much more likely to be gunned down just walking outside on the street at night. just a few weeks ago, my brother's wife's brother was beaten up pretty good just walking around near my apartment. he is legally blind and some group of thugs just beat him for the fun of it.

First of all, thanks to KC, I now know your first name, Sabrina.

KC is 100% correct, we are like family here and in addition to spouting on our soapboxes, we also CARE about each other!

Sabrina...... You have every right to be upset, concerned and worried. In fact? This should have been posted on "Front Page News"..... as an indication of the seriousness of this!

I've been aware of this possible "copy cat" spree for several days now. Sorry to say, due to the Power Outages, the Recall in CA, Iraq, just to name a few..... THIS HAS BEEN PUT ON THE BACK BURNER, by the National News here in the USA.

Thank you for bringing this to the Forum..... Good JOB Lady!!
Isn't it amazing? When "DC" and environs were involved, it was non-stop coverage. Now? Several young and energenic people have been gunned down.... for NO reason, and this barely makes the headlines.

Please just take care of YOU and those you love! Deep breath... easy does it and..... make sure to watch your back AND front. I have everything crossed that the SOB (s) responsible for this hell will be captured ASAP....... Hang tuff!

Sabrina, as previously mentioned, we are very much like family.
I pray for your safety and the safety of your community, and hope this killer(s) is caught before he/she kills again.

I really had no idea. As Nancy said, other news has taken center stage, and I haven't had time to really look at the news indepth anymore.

Be careful out there Sabrina, and thank you for posting this.

Thanks guys - I too consider us family KC that is so creapy! I am so glad she came out safe! Nancy All you had to do was ask and as for the front page news I can't post it there cause I aint no admin - i aint special enough And thanks Homey for carin to all of you

I'll be praying for you too Sabrina.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Hope they catch the person soon.




Thought you could use some guardian angels.

Take care Sabrina.

I just finally read about this today in the Sunday paper

thanks guys I love you all!

Take care of yourself Sabrina! Let us know if they catch the guy.