US police today discounted information given by a witness who claimed to see a shot fired during the most recent killing by the so-called Washington sniper.
"The information provided by one of the witnesses at the scene of the shooting in the Home Depot describing a cream-coloured van with a malfunctioning tail light is not credible," Fairfax County police chief Mr Tom Manger told reporters.
"In addition there have been several media reports related to the description of a specific weapon and the suspect. That information, as well, is not reliable," he added, urging the media not to release uncorroborated details.
The information had been given by police yesterday as they step up the hunt for the sniper, who has killed nine people and wounded two since October 2nd.
Asked if this meant a set back in the investigation, Montgomery County police chief Charles Moose said: "I hope that people in the public didn't hear that word because it hasn't 'set back' the investigation."
Yesterday police showed pictures of the weapon that the witness had told them the sniper had used. The AK-74 rifle may be modified to use a .223 calibre bullet that has been recovered from the scene of several shootings.
However, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms special agent Mr Michael Bouchard told the briefing "there are 30-plus weapons that fire this type of ammunition."
AFP