My name is Joshua "Sniper" Schuster. Born and raised on Buffalo east side, been into crime and gangs. Tryin to turn my life around. I'm a big DMX fan, he the best. I was bred on hip hop, I remember the premire of Biggie's Hypnotize music vid and Mase before his brief retirement.
A tribute to all my friends who lost their lives to street violence
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Interview with Sniper
brought to you by L33tsamuraiHow did you get the name "Sniper?" It all started when I was at Riverside High, I was always got caught reading biographies of snipers and I was always quiet until someone provoked me I shot back at them, furiously and without regret. Also, I'm known for having good marksmanship with a gun.
How do you describe yourself? A modern samurai, although I get persecuted for my beliefs. I also read Japanese samurai literature like the Hagakure, Bushido, and Book of the Five Rings and try to follow what I read. I only wish I could carry my sword without being in trouble with the 5-0.
What was the most scariest moment in your life? When I got robbed at gunpoint on Pearl Street, no one was around to help. After that day, I always carried at least 1 blade on me for protection. I am trained to use it, I just apply my knowledge of martial arts and use it as an extension of myself.
What kind of music do you like? Mostly rap/hip hop, but I also like Japanese music like the group m.o.v.e. Their good because the mix together rock, rap, dance, electronica, and acoustic, that's what makes them famous throughout the world.
Have you ever been arrested? No, but I came close to a few times. I almost got arrested for trespassing, shop lifting, and vandalism. Just misdemeanors, but they always let me off with a warning.
You know anyone who has been in arrested? Yeah, this one guy Pick, he was like a father to me, he got locked up and is doing 10 for assault and battery, he made good barbecue.
Also, one of my friends from Riverside is doing 25 to life for 2 counts of murder for his role in a gang shooting, actually he pulled the trigger.
Do you know anyone who has been killed? Bobby Hayes from Riverside who was shot by a guy who we was gonna rob the McDonalds on Ontario St.
Dominique Jones who I knew since 4th grade, we went to the same elementary school. He got hit in a drive by.
Oscar Pricher who was a classmate in high school, he got stabbed in Riverside Park, when walking home from a baseball game. There was a fight go on as he passed by, one guy held him and the other stabbed him, he died in the hospital from blood loss.
Stacey Edwards who died when a fire started in her grandma's house Whenever I heard DMX's "Goodbye," It brings back the bad memories.
What are your goals? Graduate high school, finish college and get my associates in automotive technology. maybe continue my major at Alfred State or Morrisville; I was also thinking of going to Vaughn for a bachelors in aircraft operations, got to get that money.
What do you like to do? Rap, even though I have some slight disabilities. I trip over my words, stutter, or sometimes say something and forget what I'm saying. I also like to work on cars, build models, repair things, art, write.
What do you think people think when they see you? A twisted white boy/wigger, that likes rap and who fronts to fit in. Although that's not the case with me. Many think I'm some scared little boy because I pretty quiet, but the truth is that I have nothing to say. Some people thought that I was a terrorist because I read Soldier of Fortune and Guns & Ammo.
Do you have any fetishes or embarrassing interests? I refuse to answer because its personal and I don't trust you, next question.
What kind of movies do you like? A little bit of everything, but I am a big horror movie fan.
What's your favorite car? I got a list here: 1969 Dodge Charger, 1969 Shelby Cobra GT500, 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, 1996 Nissan 240SX, 1969 Chevrolet Nova, 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, 1967 Chevrolet Corvette, 1995 Honda Civic, 2000 Nissan 350Z, 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, 1973 Plymouth Road Runner, Saleen S7, Pagani Zonda C12-S, Aston Martin DB9, Jaguar XJ220, Ford GT40, Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34), 1985 Toyota Sprinter Trueno, 2000 Dodge Neon SRT-4, Mosler MT-900 Photon, 2000 Ford SVT Cobra R, and the Nissan Silvias.
Out of the previous list, what would you most likely get? Minus the ones I can't even afford to look at, I'd say the Civic, 240SX, 350Z, WRX, or the SRT-4.
Where have you gone when you traveled out of the state? Fayetteville, WV; Washington D.C.; and somewhere in Pennsylvania
What would you like to do before you die? meet and become friends with DMX, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, The Game, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Lil Jon, Young Jeezy, the Wu Tang Clan, the members of m.o.v.e. and master the Japanese language and become a great Zen master and swordsman
You mentioned the Japanese language, do you speak it? A tiny bit, I also used to be fluent in Spanish and Dutch but since I never used them so eventually I forgot them, I also am learning German, the language of by breed.
Your breed? Yeah, I'm German in ethnic background. As well as other European and Asian backgrounds
What do you think of the word "cracker?" I hate it, although I'm not a cracker. Many people should know what that word means before they use it
Explain. Many use the term to refer to all white people, but it actually is referred to those whose ancestors were slavers. My family never took part in slavery, they came to America from Germany after slavery was abolished at the turn of the century.
Do you play any instruments? No, but I want to learn to play the trumpet and/or trombone
Who do you idolize? R Lee Ermey, Miyamoto Musashi, Hattori Hanzo, Yagyu Munenori, Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Maasaki Hatsumi, Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Tony Jaa, DMX, The Buddha, The Dalai Lama, Ashida Kim
You mention Buddha, why? He gave up his position as a prince and set out end human suffering, poverty, starvation, and stuff like that. What better hero should one look up to, even if you called him a hero, he would dislike it because the thinks that titles of nobility or power are wrong and that everyone is equal, no matter who they are.
Describe your martial arts background I have 3½ years of Tae Kwon Do where I stopped at Black Stripe, and have 3 bronze medal from tournaments. I also self studied kung fu, kendo, judo, karate, ninjitsu and muay thai
Have you ever had to use it Yes, I got into many fights as a young boy because I was arrogant. I even got into a few knife fights as a young teen. My uncle practice with each other, mostly to test me and train me. Of course, he is about 33 years my superior.
Thank you for sitting through this interview It was no problem, it was interesting