Shooting spree in Michigan leaves 8 dead
At least seven people were killed during a shooting spree in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, authorities said. In all, eight people were shot in three locations according to Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas. He added that based on preliminary investigation, all three shooting incidents appeared to be related. Police have identified a suspect and taken him into custody over the shooting spree.
According to data and statistics provided by Health Indicators Warehouse, there have been an average of eleven deaths per 100,000 people in Michigan every year since 2010 due to gun related violence.
The shootings took place in Kalamazoo County, in the state of Michigan. It has a population of about 75,000 and is about 160 miles west of Detroit. It is home to Western Michigan University and is known for the anonymously funded Kalamazoo Promise program, which pays the college tuition of students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public Schools for the last few decades.
The first shooting took place when a woman was shot four times in an apartment complex parking lot. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Shortly after, two people who were looking for cars, were shot and killed at a car dealership. The third shooting occurred outside a Cracker Barrel restaurant where five people, including a 14-year-old girl were shot and killed.
A 45-year-old man, Jason Dalton was arrested at 12.40am local time who police said was a "strong suspect". Authorities also recovered a weapon from the suspect's car, according to Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas.
