November 22, 1997

Officials say murder of Long Branch, NJ, Detective Patrick A King was cold-blooded assassination of police officer targeted at random; investigators seek to untangle and reconstruct trail of carnage and terror of one-man crime wave through northern New Jersey; two central questions remain: identity of assailant and his motive for killing officer; Asbury Park Press reports that gunman was Roberto Perez, 32, who moved to Long Branch earlier this year; newspaper says Perez was upset over breakup of relationship and had swallowed woman's gold wedding band and photo before shooting himself to death; ring and photo of woman and two young children are discovered during autopsy; photos; chronology of rampage (M)

Democratic members of New York State Assembly say majority leader Michael J Bragman has been actively campaigning to be next Speaker; say Bragman's actions have house in turmoil and could undermine authority of Speaker Sheldon Silver; say Bragman's maneuvering is unheard of at time when Speaker's office is occupied, and that Silver is furious; conflict underscores disarray of state Democratic Party; Bragman and Silver photo (M)

Article on upcoming football game between Ohio State University and University of Michigan; chart; photo (L)

Foundations turn to death, and the issue comes alive. PAGE B7 Helen Vendler, a power in the ivory tower of poetry. PAGE B7 A weekend spent celebrating the man behind 'Our Town.' PAGE B7 A new Met Opera production of 'The Rake's Progress.' PAGE B7

William C Rhoden Sports of The Times column on heavyweight boxer Shannon Briggs, who will fight George Foreman on Nov 22, first make-or-break fight of his career; also discusses St Louis Rams running back Lawrence Phillips, who was released from team after exhibiting troubling behavior off the field in recent days; photo of Briggs (L)