John Allen Muhammad

John Allen Muhammad (né John Allen Williams), a U.S. Army veteran, was arrested in connection with the Beltway sniper attacks. Following leads from the sniper attacks, his previous residence in Washington was searched, revealing evidence of sniper rifle use. A warrant was put out for his arrest, and he was taken into custody soon thereafter with John Lee Malvo[?]. The gun found in his possession was determined to be the same as the gun used in the sniper attacks.

Born John Allen Williams, he changed his name to Muhammad when he converted to Islam in October 2001.

Muhammad was under a restraining order from his former wife. He was arrested on federal charges of violating the restraining order against him, for having a weapon.

Muhammad was found after police followed a lead in which an anonymous caller (presumably Muhammad) told a priest to tell the police to check out a killing in Montgomery, Alabama. Federal officials were able to connect such a killing to Jamaican immigrant John Lee Malvo[?]'s fingerprints, which were on file with the INS. Malvo was known to associate with Muhammad.

See: serial killer

Related Links

• Suspect left danger signs in Bellingham (http://news.bellinghamherald.com/stories/20021025/TopStories/115316.shtml) - news report on Muhammad's suspicious behavior in Bellingham, WA in the year or so prior to the attacks.
• An Angry Telephone Call Provided One Crucial Clue (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/25/national/25INQU), The New York Times, October 25, 2002 - explains tracking and arrest of Muhammad