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When local police were called, the first responding officer encountered Woodson dressed in a green, military-like jacket. Bulges under the coat also aroused the officer’s attention, perhaps that “Spiderman-like sixth sense” that has saved many a police officer’s life in the past. When confronted, Woodson said “I’m getting some food for my kids,” then fled.fled to a nearby trailer court.

With the arrival of backup officers, Woodson was located hiding in bushes and had to be forcibly restrained, to include the use of pepper spray. The “bulge” under Woodson’s coat turned out to be a military style bullet proof vest, complete with an additional front steel plate like that worn by many soldiers in Iraq. He was armed with a Bushmaster .223 assault rifle similar to the rifle used by the Washington, DC snipers in their October 2002 murder of 10 and wounding of three. Woodson’s rifle, though, had allegedly been modified to fire .50 caliber ammunition capable of piercing any type of police car, much less the light-weight body armor worn by police officers. He also carried at least three additional loaded magazines.

A search of a room related to a motel key carried by Woodson, the nearby Red Mill Inn, resulted in the seizure by police of a .308 assault rifle (with the serial number filed off to defeat, perhaps, the tracing of the weapon by ATF), a 37-mm grenade launcher, a second bullet resistant vest (for himself or an accomplice?), a rifle night scope, a police scanner, and hundreds of rounds of .50 caliber and .308 caliber ammunition, along with other military style equipment. Also found was a map of a U.S. military installation and what police described as a “Middle Eastern red and white traditional headdress.” Many know that such a headdress or “keffiyeh” is worn throughout the Middle East as well as in Somalia, but is usually associated with Jordan where it is also known as a “mashadah” or “shemagh.”

Investigation has revealed that Woodson, who once resided in Reston, Virginia, had checked into the motel about a week ago. His mode of travel and traveling companions, if any, are unknown. What is known is that Woodson was obviously up to something. What that “something” is, is the subject of intense law enforcement investigation at this time. In May 2007, six men were arrested for plotting to attack Ft. Dix, NJ, in that case by gaining access to the base dressed as delivery men and then shooting as many soldiers as possible, something like Major Nedal Hasan was able to do on November 5, 2009 at Ft. Hood, Texas.

While Woodson may prove to be just some emotionally challenged gun nut, or a robber-to-be who has seen too many “Dirty Harry” movies, the inclusion of a Keffiyeh in among the belongings that he evidently considered most significant to his plan or “mission” could suggest the possibility of yet another radical Islamic fundamentalist like, perhaps, Major Hasan. The map of the military base and a separate map of a residential neighborhood outside of New Jersey found in Woodson’s room may provide evidence of his travels and/or his targets-to-be.

Some will begin to link Woodson, his Keffiyeh, his weapons and his residence in northern Virginia to fugitive Islamic fundamentalist religious leader Anwar al-Awlaki, the man who is said to have influenced a number of the 9/11 hijackers, Major Hasan and the Christmas day “underwear bomber,” the latter of whom told us “there were more like him coming.” but this is really a quantum leap at this moment. The JTTF will, of course, quickly explore this possibility in their attempt to identify Woodson’s target(s) and any possible co-conspirator, should they believe find evidence of an actual terroristic plot, either by a “lone wolf” or a group of terrorists-to-be.

In the meantime, a highly dangerous man and his deadly arsenal have been taken off the street, this by the actions of a lone citizen who felt someone just didn’t look right. Was this profiling? Yes, of course it was! If someone doesn’t look right, if he doesn’t look to fit in at that time and location and if he appears to present some potential threat, everyone should do the right thing. Call the police and let them determine the level of threat, if any, that person actually presents. It makes no difference that Woodson was black. The bottom line was that he was apparently up to something and some good citizen, by reacting to his own good common sense, may, just may have saved us from another Ft. Hood-like attack. That night shift store clerk, and the responding police officers, deserve our heartfelt thanks. But for now, let’s find out what Woodson was really up to before he is somehow able to make the low $75,000 bail on which he is currently held!