Ballistic reports nail snipers in Sept death

Muhammad and Malvo were also tied to an Alabama murder two days before the Louisiana shooting.

The two suspects face multiple State and Federal charges in the Alabama and Louisiana cases, as well as the sniper spree that left 10 people dead and three others wounded in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. They are also suspects in a February killing in Washington state.

Baton Rouge police chief Pat Englade issued first-degree murder warrants for Muhammad and Malvo after ballistics tests matched the rifle used in the sniper shootings to the shooting of Hong Im Ballenger, 45.

Ballenger died from a single shot to the head as she left the beauty depot. Witnesses said the gunman was a young black man who fled into a nearby park and evaded bloodhounds called in to track him down. According to the arrest warrant, police believe Muhammad shot the woman and Malvo allegedly stole her purse and fled.