Sniper's Gone But Not Forgotten, Which Is Not Necessarily A Bad Thing
Nov 11, 2009 8:47 - 3 Comments
As >reported by the Gazette, last night at 9 PM the Beltway sniper, John Allen Muhammad, was executed by lethal injection down in Virginia. Although most of the sniper murders in the DC area (6/10) occurred here in Montgomery County, everyone thought Virginia would carry out a quicker death sentence. Seven years later, the task is done. Is it finally over?
Although the terror he inflicted on our community with his teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo lasted only 23 days, the experience has never really left me. I do still occasionally think about it when I stand to pump gas. Back then, I’d dash to sit in the car instead of standing by the side of my car. Rockville was in lock down. All the local sporting events were cancelled. We didn’t play outside with the kids unless protected from view.
Since people were attempting to protect themselves, you might think the sniper attacks would have lessened our feeling of community. However, the opposite was true. We were all in it together. After they shot the middle school boy, all the parents made a human shield at Ritchie Park Elementary to protect the kids as they entered the building. We looked out for the kids and each other. Since Julius West was so close to 270, a helicopter flew over each morning and afternoon. From my house I could hear it and know that everyone was doing everything possible to protect each other and find the culprits.
At the time of the sniper, I planted an evergreen tree to block the view of our house from the road. I worried that I was closing myself off from the community. Last weekend I noticed how tall it had grown. Time has passed. I can still see my house and more importantly, I still trust our community to work together and care for each other during our darkest moments.
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Folks said I was brave to bike to work throughout the sniper crisis. But I pointed out that I didn’t have to gas up. The whole thing was unnerving though I must admit.
I most likley was the last person to see the lady sitting on the bench at Leisure World Plaza. Beautiful sunny morning about 8:00A. As I drove into the parking lot, passing by the lady, I was certainly in their line of fire. They were in the extreme corner of parking lot, fired their shot. I was only in Giant short time, returned to car to find the crime scene tape already up. Of course I did not know what had happened until I viewed the happening on TV upon return home, of the snipers again in action. I was so thankful that day that I was not their target, and after reading yesterdays paper of their events still relive that moment. The location of a new bench was moved to another area, which no doubt assisted those in L/W and Manor Club to rest at ease.
Gloria, You are always right in the mix of everything. Your description captures the reality of that time. It really was happening all around us at places we visited regularly. It could have been any one of us.Thanks to you and Carl for sharing.