Man, 43, arrested while chasing Michigan sniper who shot at random cars in four counties in two-week terror campaign
Man, 43, arrested while chasing Michigan sniper who shot at random cars in four counties in two-week terror campaign
- Suspect arrested in Wixom, the Detroit suburb where the shootings began
- Targets in 24 incidents were primarily cars on roads near Interstate 96
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of the sniper who shot at random cars in four Michigan counties over the course of two weeks.
The 43-year-old suspect was taken into custody Monday evening in Wixom, the Detroit suburb where the shootings began.
Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth called the attacks, which left one person injured, “domestic terrorism.”
He said, ‘Why did he do it? Don’t know. I don’t know if we’ll ever know.’
Artist’s impression: Police arrested the 43-year-old man on suspicion of the sniper, pictured, who shot at random cars in four Michigan counties over two weeks
Sheriff Wriggelsworth said a tip — one of nearly 3,000 received — led authorities to the man’s home. He would not say what the suspect had said to the detectives.
Police said the man was driving a vehicle that matched the description of the suspect’s car given by a victim of the shooting. Authorities also seized possible evidence in his home, detectives said.
At least one weapon has been seized, said Donald Dawkins, Detroit spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The man had not yet been charged last night and it was not clear when charges could be filed.
Local and federal authorities discussed whether to take the case to state or federal court. Sheriff Wriggelsworth said he wanted federal prosecutors to handle the case.
The shootings began on October 16 and stretched from Oakland County west to Ingham County.
The targets of the 24 reported incidents were primarily cars traveling on roads near Interstate 96. Only a handful of shootings actually took place on the Interstate.
Stalking ground: The targets of the 24 reported incidents were mostly cars driving on roads near Interstate 96 (pictured)
Janice Schumacher, 43, was pumping gas into Wixom when she learned a suspect was in custody.
“I hope this is the guy,” said the Commerce Township resident who has been using alternate routes for the past few weeks to do personal errands and take her three kids to and from school.
“For weeks I couldn’t breathe while driving with my kids in the car. If they finally catch this guy, it would be a big relief.’
Before the arrest, there seemed to be few clues — slugs and bullet fragments embedded in cars, metal casings on roads, a simple black-and-white sketch of the shooter — a man believed to be in his late twenties or early thirties — and vague clues. descriptions of the dark car he was driving.
The crime scene where the shootings took place is 100 miles long and cuts through suburbs, shopping malls and pastures.
Shots were fired during the day, night, weekdays and weekends. Police say the gunman would drive on roads and shoot at vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. Only one person was injured.
The first reports of shootings caused panic. Wixom schools restricted recess and other activities where students would go outside. Drivers avoided the main roads where they could be exposed and got stuck on side streets.
But the police did everything they could to keep the peace. In Wixom – where ten shootings have been reported – police had special Halloween patrols to protect trick-or-treaters.
From Oakland County, northwest of Detroit, to Shiawassee County, northeast of Lansing, authorities stopped cars that resembled the gunman’s vehicle. A reward of $102,000 was offered.
“I’ve always felt safe here. But this was very shocking,” says 51-year-old Karen Adams, who lives one street away from the suspect.
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