September 5, 2002
On September 5, 2002, Paul LaRuffa, 55, is shot multiple times outside his restaurant, Margellina, in Clinton, Maryland after getting in his car. The first shot shatters the glass of the driver’s side window deafening LaRuffa who is then shot an additional five times. Leaving him for dead, the attackers steal LaRuffa’s laptop and briefcase containing $3500 from the back of his car. Originally viewed as a robbery, LaRuffa’s shooting was tied to the snipers after their arrest when law enforcement officers recovered LaRuffa’s laptop from the snipers’ car. Although occurring a month prior to the shooting spree that gave Malvo and Muhammad the moniker the “Beltway Snipers” this was the first shooting in the DC region.
Inside of Paul LaRuffa's car after being shot by the Snipers
Driver's side exterior of Paul LaRuffa's car.
Rear driver's side exterior of Paul LaRuffa's car.
Paul LaRuffa's laptop is later recovered by law enforcement after the snipers' arrest, conclusively connecting them to this shooting.
Click the image to more closely examine the evidence.
September 14, 2002
911 audio from the crime scene.
Rupinder "Benny" Oberoi is shot in the back outside of Hillandale Beer & Wine in Silver Spring, Maryland where he worked. Oberoi survives the shooting which is linked to Malvo and Muhammad in November 2002 by circumstances, witnesses, and the location of the Snipers at the time of the shooting, though not by ballistics.
September 15, 2002
32-year-old Muhammad Rashid is shot in Brandywine, Maryland while he is closing the store for the night. Rashid survives the shooting and later testifies in court, identifying Malvo as the shooter.
Shattered glass from where the bullet entered the storefront.
Crime scene experts marked where the bullet entered the store.
Officers traced the bullet trajectory using a red string.
