There's a heated manhunt on for Ohio sniper suspect Charles A. McCoy Jr.

March 16, 2004

Many have heard about the lone sniper along interstate 270, who since last October has terrorized motorists and neighborhoods with his random shootings.

Authorities may finally have a break.

Investigators will not say what led them to McCoy as a suspect, but Columbus dispatch cites an unidentified source that a relative contacted police and said he might be a suspect. Newspaper and Television reports state that McCoy’s family gave authorities at least one of his guns. They found ballistics matched some the bullet fragments recovered in the shootings to a 9MM Beretta handgun belonging to the suspect.

What's the suspect like? What would drive someone to harrass and vandalise innocents?

It seems a neighbourly trait these days, but none of Charles A. McCoy's neighbours knew his name or anything about him. Typical? For the last year he has lived with his mother in a quiet Columbus, Ohio neighborhood for approximately 1 year. Is that it?

Apparently not: one young neighbor, Ryan Conley, said, “I never saw him (McCoy) smile”. Other neighbors said he would yell at kids playing too loudly in the street or complain of loud music. Most accounts agree that McCoy and his mother were always in their house, except when he doing yard work.

A sad comment about the emptiness of many peoples lives.

It seems many are angry and bored having no sense of purpose but only bent on lawlessness, vandalism and crime.

According to the Bible a spirit of anger, rebellion, maliciousness, quarrelsomeness and lack of affection will be a sign of the world winding down.

The Bible reads that man's love for his neighbour will grow cold and that can certainly be witnessed in the Ohio sniper.

Such is a time for beleivers in Christ to reach out to their neighbours with messages of hope. What an opportunity to talk about the Bible, the Gospels, the crucifixition based on Award winning Movie Director Mel Gibson and his recent record breaking film, The Passion of The Christ. Millions are raving about this smash hit and millions are talking about how it has changed their lives.

Let's be encouraged to use this courageous film makers efforts for the kingdom and strike up a conversation albeit over the controversy surrounding the film. The time is perfec t to talk to someone at the check out counter, at the gas station pump, in a waiting line or to a neighbour doing his yard work. Had someone reached out to the suspected Ohio sniper while he was out doing his yard work his life today may be totally changed for the better.

Caryl Matrisciana is a best selling author and award winning film producer. She has written many commentaries about diverse contemporay issues including world religions, paganism and cults. Her latest video Gods of Entertainment: The power of Mass Media to influence and Corrupt is due to be released in May and will among other topics discuss the success of Mel Gibson's film.