Sources: Sniper's note shows frustration with police

Writer claims officials hung up when he called

From Kelli Arena and Terry Frieden
CNN

A Montgomery County police officer stands guard Tuesday at a roadblock in Aspen Hill, Maryland.

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VIDEO Police read part of a message reportedly from the sniper, threatening area children PLAY VIDEO Chief to messenger: Request 'not possible' PLAY VIDEO Conrad Johnson, 35, a Montgomery County bus driver, was fatally shot as he prepared to go on his morning run. Though not yet confirmed as a sniper attack, all signs seem to point to it. CNN's Bill Delaney reports (October 23) PLAY VIDEO SPECIAL REPORT • Interactive: The death penalty • Interactive: Police close in • Interactive: Suspects' trail • Story: D.C. area victims RELATED • Sniper fact sheet  • Tips for tipsters  • Serial killers: Unseen monsters  SUSPECT INFORMATION Tip line: 888-324-9800 $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people involved in the shootings. Write-in tips: P.O. Box 7875 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20898-7875 Reward contribution line: 240-777-8970 Suspect vehicles: White Chevrolet Astro-type minivan with a ladder rack on its roof; Ford Econoline van with a ladder rack on its roof; white box-type truck

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- New details about the letter left near the scene of Saturday's shooting in Ashland, Virginia, reveal a frustrated individual -- believed to be the sniper -- critical of law enforcement's efforts in the investigation, sources close to the investigation told CNN.

The note, wrapped in plastic, was retrieved near the Ponderosa restaurant. It included a section in which the writer rambles on about how law enforcement officials have messed up the sniper investigation. Some of the letter focuses on criticizing the performance of those officials.

The writer of the letter documents six incidents in which he alleges that officials whom he called hung up on him when he was attempting to convey a message to authorities.

A person who investigators believe to be the sniper has called in to authorities more than once, and the calls have been recorded.

According to sources, the voice is male and displays an accent. But investigators say they are not sure how authentic it is because experts cannot agree on its origin. They suggest it could be a phony accent or could have been electronically altered.

The recovered note was long, more than three pages, and handwritten, sources tell CNN. The grammar was described by sources as stilted.

The handwriting on the note, according to sources, did not match the handwriting on the Tarot card found near the shooting at a middle school in Maryland just over two weeks ago. The Tarot card warned: "I am God," along with other details that have not been made public.

The sources tell CNN that in the letter the writer also says "I am God."

But government sources say specific language used in both the Tarot card and the note has led investigators to believe the two communications came from the same person.

Investigators do believe that because of the similarities, both communications are legitimate, and they are working on the assumption that the letter came from the sniper.

Other details known about the letter include:

•A postscript that warns: "Your children are not safe anywhere, at any time," according to Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose.

•Law enforcement sources said the letter demands $10 million. The sources said they do not know whether the demand for money is legitimate and that it does not seem to be consistent with prior actions.

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