Washington sniper hunted after sixth murder

Police in the US looking for a sniper who they believe randomly killed five people are investigating a sixth shooting.

Police in the US looking for a sniper who they believe randomly killed five people are investigating a sixth shooting.

Detectives have in the suburbs of Washington are now examining another murder in the centre of the US capital.

Pascal Charlot, 72, was shot once in the chest as he stood on a street corner on.

Tests on the bullets and wounds indicated all five suburban victims were hit from a distance with an assault or hunting rifle, said Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose.

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"Nothing has been ruled out," said Washington police spokesman Sergeant Joe Gentile. "There is nothing at this point to indicate a connection. However, obviously we will take a close, hard look as to whether they are related."

As schools reopened Montgomery County with extra patrols, residents were fearful. Calls poured in to emergency services dispatchers about loud noises, but all the reports were investigated and there were no further shootings, Moose said.

"People are on edge," Moose said. "We're all human. We're all afraid."

There were no known witnesses to the shootings, even though they happened in daylight in public places. All the Montgomery County victims died within five miles of each other.

Moose said the murders had not definitely been linked but it was a strong possibility.

None of the victims appeared to have been robbed, and police said race did not appear to be a motive. The victims were Hispanic and white one was a native of India.

PA