Did the Sniper Suspects Kill Her Dad?

Nov. 8, 2002 -- When 60-year-old Jerry Taylor was shot down on a golf course in Tucson, Ariz., family and friends puzzled over who would kill the mild-mannered man, who didn't have a known enemy in the world.

But with the arrest of two men suspected in the Washington-area sniper shootings, the mystery may be solved. Taylor's slaying is one of the latest that police have linked to accused snipers John Allen Muhammad, 41, and John Lee Malvo, 17.

The two are suspects or possible suspects in at least 15 slayings across the country. They have been sent by Attorney General John Ashcroft to stand trial in two different Virginia jurisdictions on murder charges that could bring the death penalty.

A friend of Malvo says the accused sniper bragged about shooting two men on golf courses last spring, similar to Taylor's shooting. Authorities are now combing the golf course for clues, but the family is fairly convinced that Malvo, at least, is responsible.

"At least we'll know who did it, but we don't know why," Cheryl Witz, Taylor's daughter told Good Morning America. "And I would like to know why, but I'm sure we'll never know."

A Single Shot

Taylor, a married salesman with three children and five grandchildren, was shot March 19 while practicing chip shots at the Fred Enke Golf Course in Tucson.

Authorities said he was felled by a single shot to the chest fired from long range, and that many of the elements of his slaying were similar to the sniper killings. No bullet or shell casing was ever found.

However, the two suspects were in Tucson visiting Muhammad's sister at the time Taylor was gunned down.

Renee Mattingly, Taylor's daughter, said police first told the family on Tuesday about the investigation, and explained a little about what led them to the snipers.

"The evidence that they had was just the way my dad died, and the fact that the snipers had been in the area at that time," Mattingly said.

‘The Wheels Started Turning’

Even before the police began making connections, Mattingly had considered the possibility that the snipers were responsible for her dad's death.

"I had several people contact me by e-mail, and lots of friends were asking, 'do you think this possibly could have been the people that killed your father?'" Mattingly said. "The wheels started turning at that point in my head."

Whoever shot her father also dragged his body into some nearby brush, which doesn't fit their usual killing methods, though.

"The first day I was kind of skeptical," Witz said. But now, after hearing more about the snipers' crime spree in various parts of the country, she believes they are responsible.

"The Tuesday before [police contacted us], I had called the detective. I just thought that it was connected. There were too many connections," Witz said.

It brings the family some relief — and a greater sense of security — to know that their father was targeted by someone who did not know him.

"The fact that someone who killed my dad was someone he didn't know does make it a little easier," Mattingly said. "And to know that we don't have to look over our shoulder every minute walking around town."