Police Release Sketch Of Mall Shooter

Survivor Of Violence In A Chicago Area Lane Bryant Store Provided Information For The Composite Drawing

(AP)  Suburban Chicago police said a crime lab was evaluating "a large quantity" of evidence collected in water searches and at the scene of a Lane Bryant clothing store where five women were fatally shot and a sixth was injured.

Dive teams searched frozen ponds and streams for two days looking for potential evidence in the Feb. 2 shootings and attempted robbery in suburban Tinley Park, according to a statement released Saturday by Tinley Park Police Cmdr. Rick Bruno

Authorities also have searched roadsides and state highways.

The gunman was still at large Saturday.

"The crime lab continues to evaluate a very large quantity of evidence collected at the scene, and we continue to receive phone leads on the 24 hour Tip Hotline," Bruno said in the statement.

He said police have received more than 200 tips.

Police handed out flyers Saturday at the strip mall where the Lane Bryant is located seeking people who may have seen something on the day of the attack.

Killed in the shootings were: store manager Rhoda McFarland, 42, of Joliet; Carrie H. Chiuso, 33, of Frankfort; Connie R. Woolfolk, 37, of Flossmoor; Sarah T. Szafranski, 22, of Oak Forest; and Jennifer L. Bishop, 34, of South Bend, Ind.

Mourners gathered Saturday for the funerals of three of the five slain women. More than 600 people attended services for McFarland at Word of Life Christian Center in Crest Hill.

"A precious person has been removed from our lives in a mysterious, unexpected, violent and horrible way," the Rev. Tim Bagwell said during the service. "At a moment like this, we would not be human if we didn't ask why."

Services also were planned Saturday for Szafranski and Woolfolk. The other two victims were mourned at services Thursday and Friday.

A sixth woman survived the attack during what investigators have called a botched robbery. She is being held in protective custody to ensure her safety, officials have said.

The Associated Press is not naming the woman because authorities have not confirmed the details. She released a statement through police earlier this week in which she called the women who were killed "five of the bravest women I have ever met."

Tinley Park police Saturday night released a composite drawing of the suspect based on the survivors' description. Authorities have described the gunman as a black man, between 5 feet 9 and 6 feet tall and between 200 to 230 pounds with thick braided hair and a receding hairline.

Bruno declined to give further information in the investigation.

[keithle1]

How often do we hear:

"The suspect is described as a black man."

[jegibbons]

If they catch this guy, it won''t be because of the sketch. What in hell is that thing on his head? A bicycle helmet? Not a good sketch.

This guy will do this kind of thing again. Maybe another surviving victim at his next crime scene will help the police artist do a better sketch.
This slug deliberately chose that store at that hour because he knew there would only be women there.

Be on the lookout for a short fat black man with a big yellow stripe down his back. This piece of *** is a coward!

[cubsrgreatin]

Thing on his head represents the stocking cap he wore

[gheemaster38]

How often do we hear:

"The suspect is described as a black man."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Keithle1 at 08:23 AM : Feb 10, 2008

As often as it is a key discription. Please, whatever you do dont make this a racist issue. All races are guilty of crimes including murder just look at Iraq, Columbine, WWII, Vietnam, parts of Africa. No need to get on a racist high horse. If we condemn a race for atrocities commited by members from said race-Then the Earth would be populated with plants!!!

[jegibbons]

Hope the next time this slug stops by a Lane Bryant store for a little helpie-selfie there is a pistol packing, former Marine trained, full figured, shooter waiting in the back room with his surprise.

"...the stocking cap he wore!" == Posted by CUBSrGREATin== THANKS!

[slim1h2o]

Then the Earth would be populated with plants!!!

Posted by gheemaster38 at 10:03 AM : Feb 10, 2008

LOL About 80% of people in the world today, have the IQ, of a house plant. And it isn''t getting any better.

[kailumego1]

ilikecats1 and Keithle1, likewise, how often do we hear of some schizophrenic white man kidnapping, mutilating, decapitating, and casting out to sea his girlfriend, wife, acquaintance, etc.

Gee, it seems like every time we turn on the news!

[drivelphobe]

Keithie1

What a ridiculous question! What''s your point? If the suspect is seen, whatever description applies is provided by witnesses! Are you implying that witnesses should deceive the law enforcement investigators by concealing the obvious?

Go pound sand. Have a great day.

[kailumego1]

libsrsissy, likewise, considering every time I hear of some young wife female missing, I think of a deranged white male lunatic.

[kailumego1]

I meant white female.

[cbs4me3]

This is not just a robbery. Why shoot these women? Must get to the bottom of this in the event the motive is more troubling. We are entering a period in America, where we all need to be vigilant of those around us. We have seen escalating incidents. My fear is other reasons may become motivating factors. I pray for these glorious women and their families.

[vittoria1]

The police have asked for help from hairstylists, but my guess is that someone desperate enough to rob a women''s clothing store, where he wasn''t going to find much cash, doesn''t have the money to pay for professional styling. (Those braided styles are expensive.) This man has a friend or girlfriend who does his hair for him and knows who he is. To that person I say, PLEASE step forward. You don''t want the murderer of five human beings to be on the streets, no matter how much you care about him. You are in danger, too.

[zootallures2]

I say we offer him community service if he confesses and shoots the arse head who keeps posting this krap:

I am jason, a handsome man from us. i am just at the beginning of my career and want to seek a rich women for support, maybe to be my sugar momma..where should i start?? one day, i happened to browse a site, SugarMommaMatch.c.....

[jegibbons]

=="My fear is other reasons may become motivating factors."== Posted by cbs4me3
Fear Not.
This tragedy is totally and colossaly stupid. It reflects the defective mind of its perpetrator.

He was likely a beginner, a coward (for certain) who picks an easy target where there are only women, early in the day. It didn''tmatter that there would be little or no money.

Maybe he hates his Momma? But more likely, based upon interviews with other similar perpetrators who have committed equally heinous crimes:
WHY did you kill them? ANS "Cuz they wuz there!"
Trying to make sense out of the senseless is not the way to solve this crime. The haircut is the best clue.

[gunownerdan]

schoollord,
Over 40 states now allow concealed-carry of handguns.
These states have seen less violent crime after allowing citizens to protect themselves.
There is no proof whatsoever that more guns equal more crime.

[klingon69]

Just ignore schoollord. He is a spamming anti-gun freak, probably in the employ of one of Sarah Brady''s organizations.

[gunownerdan]

people are killed and wounded by them.
Posted by schoollord

People don''t get murdered or wounded by GUNS, they get murdered or wounded by CRIMINALS who USE GUNS ILLEGALLY.

[gunownerdan]

Most gun deaths are related to ILLEGALLY USED GUNS.
I don''t care if you have a criminal record or not, if you use a gun illegally, you are a criminal.

[gunownerdan]

And most of those "criminals" are GUN OWNERS!~
Posted by schoollord

And all criminals are humans.
But it doesn''t mean all humans are criminals.

[guadalcanal3]

Hey everybody...It doesn''t take rocket science to figure out that criminals can purchase a gun...BEFORE...they actually have a criminal record....Thats the problem. (how about that kid who shot dead his mother, father, and brother)

[gunownerdan]

Have you been drinking or smoking something? "LOL"
Posted by schoollord


I wonder the exact same thing about you!
But at least I don''t threaten you. You have already stated that if you had a gun you would want to shoot me. How pathetic. And I only call you childish names when you do it to me first.