Six people were killed and two others were wounded Saturday night in a series of apparently random shootings at three different locations in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, authorities say.
A “strong suspect” who matches the description of the shooter driving a vehicle similar to one seen near the shooting scenes is in custody, police tell WWMT-TV. At least one gun was found in the car, police said.
The suspect has been named by WWMT-TV as Jason Dalton, a 45-year-old white male from Kalamazoo.
“These are random murders,” Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas told reporters.
“This is a tragic chain of events for our community and we are diligently continuing the investigation to confirm if the correct person is in custody,” Kalamazoo Police Chief Jeff Hadley said.
The story is still developing. Here is what we know so far:
1. The Shootings Happened at a Cracker Barrel, Car Dealership & an Apartment Complex
BREAKING: WOODTV confirms that 6 are dead & 2 are injured in 3 seperate Kalamazoo, Michigan shootings.
According to WOOD-TV, the shootings happened in three locations in Kalamazoo: a car dealership, a Cracker Barrel restaurant and an apartment complex.
The shootings occurred over several hours. The first shooting was reported at about 6 p.m. at a townhouse complex on Meadows Boulevard, MLive.com reports. At about 10:30 p.m., a shooting was reported at the Seelye Kia car dealership on Stadium Drive. Then at 10:30 p.m., a shooting was reported at the Crack Barrel Restaurant in Oshtemo Township.
Listen to emergency radio dispatches from the incident below, courtesy of Broadcastify.com:
A woman was shot multiple times in the parking lot of an apartment complex, but survived. She has been hospitalized with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. The victim told police she did not know the suspect.
BREAKING: 6 dead following “random shootings” across Kzoo County
One of the crime scenes @ Seelye Kia on Stadium
Police say a father and his son were killed at the Kia car dealership, WOOD-TV reports. A woman was inside the car when the shooting occurred, but the gunman apparently did not see here, WWMT-TV reports.
Four of the victims were killed at the restaurant and another was wounded there.
The victims were all shot in or near vehicles.
2. The Suspect Was Driving Around & ‘Shooting to Death Innocent People at Random’
Police said the suspect, identified by sources as Jason Dalton, was driving around Kalamazoo and shooting people at each of the scenes.
A motive for the shootings is not yet known.
Scene at Kalamazoo Kia dealership where 2 men – possibly father and son – were killed earlier.
“It appears we have someone driving around and doing nothing but shooting to death innocent people at random,” Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas told reporters from the Cracker Barrel shooting scene.
3. He Was Arrested After a Traffic Stop Near Downtown Kalamazoo
Pics just in: possibly the Chevy HHR that the suspect was driving in Kalamazoo shootings. @FOX17
Police told WWMT-TV that the suspect, Jason Dalton, in custody was pulled over by an officer. Investigators are working to determine if the man arrested was the alleged gunman. The suspect was arrested at about 12:45 a.m. after a traffic stop near downtown Kalamazoo without confrontation.
He is being questioned at police headquarters.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety said on Facebook:
Please be cautious and advise us if you know or have seen the suspect in this situation where 6 people have been killed throughout Kalamazoo County. Looking for a White male in his 50’s, believed to be driving a dark colored Chevy HHR, chrome wheels and mirrors. Vehicle may have some damage. Leads are currently and will continue to be followed.
4 shootings reported in 6 hours in Kalamazoo County, 6 dead, police looking for suspect…
They blue Chevrolet is similar to the one pictured in the tweet above.
4. The Public Has Been Warned to be ‘Vigilant,’ But the Incident Appears to be Over
DEADLY SHOOTING SPREE in Kalamazoo. 6 dead in multiple locations. We’re up all night covering the latest. @wwmtnews
Police have asked the public to be vigilant, but said the incident appears to be over and the community is safe.
They have warned people to make sure their doors are locked and to stay inside if possible.
WWMT-TV reported the suspect may have been tracked to the 600 block of Aquaview Drive, near Eagle Lake, but police now say he was not located there.
5. There Were 7 Homicides in Kalamazoo County in 2014
6 People are dead after a man in Kalamazoo, MI started randomly shooting people. Shooter still active SUN0013
There were seven homicides in Kalamazoo County in 2014, MLive.com reported.
The city of Kalamazoo is home to about 74,000 people.
It is located in southwestern Michigan and is about two hours away from Detroit. It is home to Western Michigan University.
One of the shootings, at the Cracker Barrel restaurant, occurred in Oshtemo Township, which is a neighboring municipality.
