In Pursuit: The Hunt for the Beltway Snipers

by David Reichenbaugh

October 2, 2002. A bullet pierced the window of a crafts store in Maryland, just missing the cashier. But other bullets hit their targets. In Pursuit follows the hunt for the Beltway snipers during the twenty-three-day shooting spree that terrorized Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. David Reichenbaugh—the criminal intelligence operations commander for the Maryland State Police, and commanding officer at the scene during the snipers’ capture in Myersville, Maryland—played a major role in the investigation from the first day of the killing spree through its final act, as the snipers were cornered in a rest area in western Maryland. He is one of very few people who know the complete details of the investigation and capture of the snipers. Working against the clock with few clues and little evidence, hundreds of investigators from federal, state, county, and city law enforcement agencies struggled to find answers to the questions: Who were the killers? Was their choice of victims random? And most of all, Why did they kill? When the killers began leaving notes to taunt the police, investigators were finally able to begin assembling a picture, piercing the fog of uncertainty and terror that filled the region.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Book Club

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Jeff Krenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reichenbaugh does a good job taking the reader through the complex investigation and final operation that ultimately ended the weeks long reign of terror caused by the DC snipers, but he does at times do so with the arrogance and self-righteousness that is prevalent and problematic among so many of America’s police today. I almost had to put down the book when he literally references the “thin blue line.” Still, this book was objectively a good read; informative and a gripping page-turner for any fan of true crime looking to learn more about how the DC Snipers operated and were eventually brought to justice.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, read this for a class

[Sue Roselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Police procedural which describes in detail the three week legal search for the two men who randomly shot people on the street in the Greater DC area. The residents in the target area were afraid to go outside. Interesting that not every critical piece of information was shared between law enforcement agencies who competed with each other. Final resolution occurred following a tip by a civilian.

[Diane Helentjaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book engrossing and appreciated the author's voice. It took me back to the time of the 9-11 disasters, anthrax and the beltway snipers and reminded me that life always has challenges. Today it's COVID, then it was worrying if, as a northern Virginian, I'd get shot filling. up the Honda. Following the writer as he worked too many hours, dealt with clashing egos, and maneuvered between the egos to get the job done was fascinating. Well done.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic look at the Beltway Sniper's crimes and capture, from inside the investigation.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot's amazing. The memoir-ish sections are less interesting, but the author is honest and from-the-heart.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I wish he’d included some if the interrogation and trial stuff. I want to know what those guys were all about. Like, what was the goal or the reason?

[Michael Fronczak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Not nearly as good or in-depth as other true crime books. I was hoping for more insight into how they tracked & captured them.

[Eric Klamm · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writer was a cop on the investigation and I felt like he was a little full of himself. Otherwise the details were interesting and went over the case well.