For Immediate Release: Saturday, March 20, 2004
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today announced that the $500,000 sniper reward fund established by the County with public funds in October 2002 -- and expanded with private contributions -- will be distributed to two tipsters who provided information that led to the arrest and indictments of the suspects in the random shootings that terrorized the Washington, D.C. region. Robert Holmes of Tacoma, Washington will be awarded $350,000 (70 percent) of the fund, and Whitney Donahue of Greencastle, Pennsylvania will be awarded $150,000 (30 percent) of the fund.
Holmes contacted authorities and provided information that was instrumental in focusing the Sniper Task Force on the two suspects, as well as information that led to their arrest and indictments. Donahue spotted the suspects’ car at a rest stop on Interstate 70 in Frederick County and called police. He directed authorities to the car, resulting in the apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of key evidence.
“We experienced some of our darkest days during October 2002, but I was heartened during that time by the generosity of those who contributed to the reward fund, and encouraged by the fortitude of the concerned citizens who called us with more than 60,000 tips,” said Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan.
“Determining which tips made the difference in solving the case was a difficult task, but I asked the law enforcement task force that investigated the crimes to revisit the facts and evaluate the significance of the tips,” said Duncan. “I am pleased with the outcome, and want to thank the Sniper Reward Fund Workgroup for their efforts.”
“The shootings of October, 2002 conjure horrible memories for all of us in this region,” said Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger. “Many were killed and injured, and many more were affected by the crimes committed by two people. Today we recognize Mr. Robert Holmes and Mr. Whitney Donahue for the critical information they provided that resulted in the arrest and indictment of the killers. Mr. Holmes and Mr. Donahue represent tens of thousands of people from all over the nation who offered tips to help us bring an end to the killing spree. No law enforcement agency can succeed without the help of the citizens it serves. We are grateful to Mr. Holmes and Mr. Donahue for their assistance, and we are grateful to everyone who called to offer information.”
The Montgomery County Reward Fund was established within a week of the start of the series of random shootings, using $50,000 in County funds. Contributions from $1 to $100,000 quickly came in from more than 930 individuals, organizations, governments and businesses – located in 33 different states and three countries.
In November 2002, contributions that came in over the $500,000 reward fund cap – along with interest earned -- amounted to $115,945.77. Duncan presented this in a check to United Way Executive Vice President Robert Egger for the National Capital Area Healing Fund, which was set up specifically to help the victims of the shooting attacks. The check went directly to and was divided equally among the victims in the region who were injured or killed during the October shooting attacks. Since that time, the additional $15,613 in interest that has accrued will go to support the needs of the victims and their families.
Release ID: 04-125
Media Contact: Donna Bigler 240 777-6530, John Fitzgerald 240 773-5030