John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, known as the DC snipers, carried out random shootings in the Washington D.C. area in 2002. Muhammad hoped to kill his ex-wife to regain custody of their children, while Malvo claimed the ransom was for homeless children. They shot from their car trunk. Victims had no common traits and were seemingly random. Police were tipped off about a fingerprint at another crime scene, leading them to identify Muhammad and Malvo. Muhammad was sentenced to death and Malvo to life in prison without parole. Serial killers are difficult to identify because they appear normal and plan organized crimes without leaving evidence.