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The Charleston sniper shootings have moved from a "crisis situation " to a more
permanent investigation phase, according to officials.
A number of FBI agents assigned to the task force have left the investigation. And
the national media trucks and reporters have moved on to other pressing
events.
Recent shootings and murders in Charleston have been more routine, unconnected
with the sniper scenario.
Investigators have been unable to round up any suspects in three fatal sniper-style
shootings at convenience stores, but they have arrested 93 people in other cases
because of increased patrols, surveillance and drug investigations, according to
the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department.
The number of arrests is unusual for the area.
"The concept is to put pressure on the people in that area who are violating the
law,'' said Chief Deputy Phil Morris. "Our solvability factor has increased because of
the increased manpower.''
Drug dealers are also a focus of the investigation.
A city, county and federal task force has received more than 1,000 leads since
three people were killed by the same .22-caliber rifle.
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