ROCKVILLE, Md. — Investigators are pulling out all the stops in the hunt for the Beltway Sniper, as they try to come up with the hard evidence that would identify the killer or the motives behind a spree of shootings that have killed nine and injured two others.

The FBI plans to question Al Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and elsewhere to find out if they know anything that could link the Beltway Sniper to Islamic terrorists, U.S. intelligence officials told The New York Post.

A review of already-gathered intelligence has not yet turned up any links between the sniper and Al Qaeda.

But the sources said authorities would soon provide terror prisoners with details about the two-week killing rampage and ask them what they know about it. Although they don't expect to get any answers, officials believe the prisoners will talk to fellow inmates about the attacks. And interrogators will be listening.

Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., police are recommending ways citizens in the area can try to avoid becoming the sniper's next victim.

They're telling people to keep moving while outside and that if that if they have to stand still, to stand in a dark area. When moving outside, it's recommended people walk briskly in a zigzag pattern, making themselves harder targets. Police also say those standing outside should keep some type of protective cover between themselves and any open areas where the sniper might be hiding out.

They say those in the area filling their cars with gas should stand between their car and the gas pump and kneel down.

When in an open area, police say to drop to the ground and roll away, look for the closest cover and run toward it in short, zigzag dashes. People should be constantly aware of their surroundings while outside and take note of any suspicious vehicles or activities, and report them to police. They should also keep in mind that a sniper with good equipment can shoot accurately from about 500 yards away, the equivalent of five football fields.

Although two witnesses who reported seeing the Beltway Sniper identified him as having olive-colored skin and as being either Middle Eastern or Hispanic, police are urging the public to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. There have also been discrepancies in witness accounts of what types of vehicles were seen leaving the scenes of the crimes.

Investigators also believe the killer switched weapons because he was firing at shorter range in Monday's shooting.

In previous attacks, police say he used either a Colt AR-15 or a Kruger Mini-14.

But one witness to the Monday attack told investigators he was sure the sniper used a Soviet-style AK-74 semiautomatic assault rifle.

The AK-74, popular with military-gun collectors, is meant for short-range, rapid-fire shooting. But again, police say the shooter can easily change weapons and throw cops off his trail.

Police are moving in these investigative directions in hopes of getting more information about the killer that has so far done a good job of eluding police and most innocent bystanders during the killings.

Investigators had hoped to come up with a composite sketch of the killer, based on the two eyewitness accounts, but their descriptions proved inadequate.

"Unfortunately, distance and darkness, and perhaps adrenaline, have made [the witnesses] unable to give us a composite that we can disseminate," said Montgomery Police Capt. Nancy Demme. "The only common denominator thus far is male. We don't have a refined description to go by."

Demme said area residents should start carrying around a pen and notebook to write down details should they witness a future attack or anything suspicious.

On Wednesday, police issued a "how to witness" guide: Stare in the direction of the bullet noise, carry around a pen to take notes; if necessary, write down details on your hand. Demme also warned witnesses not to "contaminate" their memories by comparing notes with other people or the media.

But there are many difficulties -- for example, some 22,000 white vans are registered in the D.C. area. Among the terrorist scenarios being considered by investigators is that the killer doesn't belong to an organized group and is waging a personal jihad.

To aid the hunt, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld agreed this week to call military surveillance aircraft into the hunt for the killer. Sources said federal agents on the plane will relay information to authorities on the ground.

Since Oct. 2, there have been 11 shootings in Maryland, Virginia and Washington that have left nine people dead and two wounded. The victims were cut down by a single bullet as they went about their everyday activities. A tarot death card left at one scene read: "Dear Mister Policeman, I am God."

They're telling people to keep moving while outside and that if that if they have to stand still, to stand in a dark area. When moving outside, it's recommended people walk briskly in a zigzag pattern, making themselves harder targets...

Quoted:

I'd bet dollars to donuts the so-called sniper's next victim will be a moving target, or someone standing still in a dark area. [rolleyes]