Black Bag Found In Desert Believed To Be Psycho Killer’s
Jan 13, 2011 Comments Off Pat Dollard
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says it has stopped its search for a black bag that may have been hidden by the suspect hours before Saturday’s Tucson-area shooting spree.
An 18-year-old man was walking his dog and found when he stumbled upon a black bag Thursday morning. It’s not immediately clear whether it is the same one that Jared Loughner reportedly had with him the morning six people were killed and 13 others wounded, including Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
“We are stopping our search for it in the desert areas around (Loughner’s) home until we determine whether the bag is really his,” Pima County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Chris Nanos told CNN.
The bag will be tested for DNA, fingerprints, hair — anything that might link it to Loughner. They will also likely show it to Randy Loughner to see if he recognizes it as the one that his son was carrying Saturday, Nanos said.
In addition, investigators believe Loughner spent the night at a Motel 6 the evening before the shooting, Nanos said. Authorities would not say how they discovered that information.
The discovery of the black bag was made in the neighborhood where the Loughners live, deputies said. The 18-year-old who found the bag brought it to another adult, who contacted authorities.
Jared Loughner has been identified as the lone suspect in the shooting incident; he remains in federal custody.
“The Sheriff’s Department and FBI have yet to determine whether the bag is connected to this incident,” said a statement from the Sheriff’s Department.
The Associated Press reports that ammunition and drug store purchases were inside but Ogan could not confirm the bag’s contents.
Loughner’s father, Randy Loughner, told authorities he saw his son running away from him with a bag. The father pursued him in his vehicle.
Randy Loughner told investigators that he saw his 22-year-old son with the bag Saturday morning, and when he asked what was in the bag, his son muttered something in response and left the residence.
Wednesday, local and federal investigators combed the desert near the home Loughner shared with his parents in north Tucson.
Investigators believe Loughner’s discussion with his father took place after an Arizona Game and Fish Department officer pulled Loughner over for running a red light, which took place at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, less than three hours before the shooting.
In other developments, the FBI wrapped up its investigation at the La Toscana Village shopping center at Ina and Oracle roads, the site of the shooting.
