Kalamazoo Uber Driver Picked Up Fares Between Killings, Source Says
KALAMAZOO — The man accused of killing six people and injuring two more in a Saturday evening shooting rampage in Kalamazoo, Mich., was an Uber driver who picked up and dropped off passengers between shootings, a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN.
The source, who is not authorized to speak to media, said investigators believe Jason Brian Dalton was even looking for fares after the final shooting of a nearly seven-hour killing rampage.
Michigan State Police said the first shooting was reported at 5:42 p.m., after a woman was shot multiple times in an apartment complex parking lot. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeffrey Getting said the woman — who was with her three children — is in serious condition but expected to survive.
Then, more than four hours later, a father and son were shot and killed at a car dealership. Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley said the pair were there looking at a vehicle. Authorities identified the victims as Tyler Smith, 17, and Richard Smith, 53.
Minutes later, at around 10:24 p.m. Michigan State Police say Dalton pulled his Chevy HHR into a Cracker Barrel restaurant parking lot and opened fire on a Chevrolet Cruze and an Oldsmobile minivan, killing Mary Lou Nye, 62; Mary Jo Nye, 60; Dorothy Brown, 74; and Barbara Hawthorne, 68.
A fifth victim, a 14-year-old girl riding in the Chevrolet’s front passenger seat, was initially thought to have been killed as well, but is now listed in critical condition, according to the state police. “Call it a miracle,” said Getting. “But she’s alive now.”
He said all five were together in a group.
After another two hours or so, at approximately 12:40 a.m., police took Dalton, 45, into custody, ending a nearly seven-hour nightmare.
Police seized a semiautomatic handgun from Dalton, whom Getting described as “even-tempered” at the time of his arrest.
“There is just no question more people would have died if (police) didn’t find him when they did,” Getting said.
The prosecutor later told CNN: “These were very deliberate killings. This wasn’t hurried in any way, shape or form.”
“They’re on video. We’ve watched the video with law enforcement. They were intentional, deliberate and — I don’t want to say casually done — coldly done is what I want to say,” said Getting.
The cruel randomness of the rampage seemed to rattle officials in the western Michigan city.
Dalton, who has been interviewed by investigators, had no prior criminal record, Hadley said, and was not known to authorities.
“For all intents and purposes, he was your average Joe. This was random,” said Hadley.
Source: CNN