ROCKVILLE, Md. — Police were investigating a fatal shooting Monday night in northern Virginia for possible connection to the sniper shootings that have left eight dead and two injured in the Washington area.
A woman was shot in the head in a parking garage of a Home Depot in Fairfax County shortly after 9 p.m., according to police. Investigators looking into the sniper shootings were immediately dispatched to the scene and police began blocking nearby highways and searching for a white van similar to the one that had been spotted at a previous shooting. Previous attacks have also occurred at shopping centers near major highways.
A customer in nearby Barnes & Noble bookstore reported hearing a single shot, according to CNN.
The Home Depot is in the Seven Corners Shopping Center, a strip shopping center with a parking garage, in Falls Church. It is near Interstates 66 and I-95.
Also Monday, Baltimore Police were questioning a 38-year-old former Marine with apparent similarities to the sniper being sought in the shooting spree.
Montgomery County Police said, however, that they did not believe “at this time” that the man is related to the sniper shootings.
Police said he was driving a white Astro van, the same type and color of vehicle seen at the most recent shooting in northern Virginia.
In the search of the man’s apartment, police found an A-R 15 rifle, shell casings, ammunition and a book about snipers, news reports said.
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials in areas just outside Washington beefed up security at shopping malls and other facilities during the Columbus Day holiday weekend.
Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose said that police have been responding to many calls that turned out to be false alarms, such as trucks back-firing.
“Everyone is edgy,” he said. “Things that may normally be overlooked and routine are certainly getting a higher response.”
Also Monday, two groups set up funds to collect money for victims of the shooter.
The Victims’ Rights Foundation joined a coalition of business groups who hope to raise at least $250,000 to pay for medical bills for surviving victims, the education of slain victims’ children and other expenses.
In addition, the United Way has set up a fund to support the immediate and long-term needs of the victims and their families.
Authorities are offering a reward of $500,000 for information leading to the killer’s arrest and indictment.