New analysis from a ballistic expert sheds light on the surveillance image linked with Nancy Guthrie’s abduction.
NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz talked to the expert, whose identity was not disclosed, noting that the suspect is likely inexperienced with firearms.
“I talked to a ballistic expert yesterday who said that what he sees when he looks at that surveillance image is a holster that he describes as being a universal fit holster,” Kreutz shared in an Instagram video.
Expert Explains Why Suspect is Likely Amateur
Kreutz cited the expert, noting that anybody who has experience with firearms “would not be caught dead in” this kind of holster.
“He says it’s like a $10 cheap holster from Walmart that doesn’t even keep the gun secure,” she explained. “The gun can go flying out. He said in his mind, the fact that he’s wearing that shows this is not someone experienced with guns. This is likely an amateur and not a professional.”
In the surveillance footage taken at the front door of Nancy’s home, the masked suspect can be seen wearing a gun holster in an unusual position between his legs.
Authorities have been showing the photo of the suspect and the holster to local gun shop owners to see if anyone recognizes them.
What Makes the Search More Challenging?
Kreutz also shared what makes the search for Nancy Guthrie even more challenging. She noted that the vast area of Pima County, which is about 9,000 square miles, complicates the search.
Another reason is the amount of tips that the dispatch center has been getting, some of which are not really useful to the investigation.
“The dispatch manager said that while they are getting tips that they pass along to investigators, she said at times they’re also getting bogged down,” Kreutz added. “People who are just like calling in, many from out of state, calling in to offer their opinions and their thoughts. In some cases, their premonitions about the case.”
She continued, “And she’s asking that if people do want to call in a tip, that they just stop and think first, like, is it viable, credible? Is this something that an investigator could actually act upon?”
As for the DNA found in Nancy’s home, authorities are exploring “investigative genetic genealogy options” to identify possible matches.
“We believe that we may have some DNA there that may be our suspect, but we won’t know that until that DNA is separated, sorted out, maybe admitted to CODIS, maybe through genetic genealogy,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News.
Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Tucson home on February 1.
