Bush congratulates sniper investigators

In a statement, Bush said "the entire nation is grateful" that law enforcement officials worked so hard to crack the sniper case.

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CRAWFORD, Texas (CNN) -- En route to his Texas ranch after a campaign stop in Alabama on Thursday, President Bush called Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose to congratulate him for the capture of two suspects in the deadly sniper shootings in the D.C. area.

Bush told Moose that investigators "had lifted a shadow of fear for many families," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

Fleischer, echoing remarks by law enforcement officials in the Washington area, said there is no evidence that the suspects, John Muhammad and John Lee Malvo, had ties to any terrorist group.

The White House also released a written statement from Bush on the sniper investigation:

"The entire nation is grateful to all of the local, state and federal law enforcement officials who have worked with such great urgency and with so little rest to solve the sniper case. Their efforts resulted in the apprehension of those considered suspects in the sniper shootings. We are also grateful to the citizens who kept their eyes open, and provided information to the police.

"We will keep the victims and their families and friends in our thoughts and prayers. The hunt for a merciless killer has been difficult -- and America greatly appreciates all the good men and women who fight crime and uphold justice across this great country."

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