UPDATED: Police Still Putting All Efforts Toward Finding I-96 Shooter
Earlier today, I-96 closed after an incident was reported on southbound U.S. 23 near Brighton. The road has reopened; the incident turned out to not be a shooting.
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Note: This story is being updated throughout the day as news develops.
Monday, 4 p.m.
Representatives of the inter-agency task force working to find the I-96 gunman addressed the media, saying they won't stop until the person responsible for the shootings is identified and arrested.
The reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter is now $102,000, the task force reported.
Authorities confirmed that the incident on US-23 Monday morning was caused by a projectile hitting a car — and not a bullet.
Monday, 1:15 p.m.
Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte says he is still waiting to hear confirmation from the state police who are investigating the scene, but says that the incident on US-23 may have been caused by a rock rather than a bullet.
“Initially we thought it might have been connected to the shooting, but now they’re saying it might have been a rock,” Bezotte said.
Bezotte said that the task force and state police are all working closely together on the case that involves more than 20 reported shootings along the I-96 corridor.
Monday, 11:45 a.m.
Eastbound I-96 at Kensington Road is open after being shut down Monday morning as police search for a gunman who is suspect of more than 20 shootings alone the I-96 corridor.
Brighton Area Schools Superintendent Greg Gray told Patch that schools are no longer on lockdown as of 11:30 a.m.
Monday, 10:39 a.m.
According to Fox 47 News, police are investigating what may be another related shooting incident that occurred Monday morning on southbound U.S 23 north of Brighton.
According to the report, eastbound I-96 at Kensington has been closed down by police and 101-FM WRIF reports that police are stationed on exit ramps from Brighton to Wixom.
The Michigan State Police say they are investigating the incident while Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte said he had no details regarding the incident at this time.
WHMI reports that no injuries have been reported and that there is a possibility it may have also been a rock.
Brighton Area Schools superintendent Greg Gray said Brighton area schools are on lockdown following the suspect shooting that happened early Monday.
Gray said around 10:30 a.m. that the district is erring on the side of caution while police investigate whether it was a rock or a bullet that hit the car.
He doesn’t anticipate the schools being on lock down that much longer.
A task force was created to find the man suspected of the shooting incidents in several different counties. On Saturday, two shootings were reported near Fowlerville, with one victim being treated for a gunshot wound. The man was reportedly on his way to the World Series game at Comerica Park on Saturday night.
Here's a look at alternate routes to avoid the I-96/US-23 corridor.
Patch will post updates of this story as it unfolds.
Amy Smith
11:02 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
scary.
Sherri Yezbick-Taylor
11:23 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
I just went through 23 to 96 on my way to work around 10:20 and there were 2 helicopters and at least 6 police cars on US 23. When I got to Kensington Rd. the freeway was open, so I don't know if the search went up to US 23 only?! Scary!
Ronald Krieg
1:23 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Our MSP boys will find him....
Todd
2:47 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Hartland's Creekside is on lock-down as well....
HARTLAND MOMMA BEAR
3:55 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012
Follow up reports say it was a rock.... not a bullet.
Michael Burnette
9:24 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I don't understand how a rock can go through a "side passenger window" while the car is moving forward ?? I'm just sayin.
Hartland4Ever
11:45 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Would like to know what to look for - is shooter in his car? is he driving while shooting or on side of road?
Brooke Tajer
3:33 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
There is additional information about car, etc. that you can read in the stories we've linked to in the article above.
Tracy Anderson
12:23 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
I think the state should give us gas vouchers to take a more safe alternative route....I won't even allow my grandchildren to visit as this is the main thourghway ...sad one man has this much control ....I say give the hunters a chance at him line them all along 96 and if your brave enough to drive that model car good luck or hey use are tax dollars to bring back the laid off police officers to catch him I would rather know my safety is more important than another damn bridge....where are you Mr.obahma or Mr Romney.....u can't control mother nature in New York but you made an appearance to speak of that???ughhhh
Gerry Szumiak
9:24 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Still not a lot to go on. From Click on Detroit:
"Witnesses have described the suspect's vehicle as resembling a dark 1998 Oldsmobile Alero or a 1998 Toyota Camry. Police on Monday stopped the driver of a dark-colored Chevy Cavalier after a woman reported something hit her car on U.S. 23 near Brighton.
Those initial descriptions may not be correct, Shaw told The Associated Press Tuesday.
"We've had 22 victims that have tried to identify a vehicle traveling at 60 to 70 miles per hour," he said. "We're looking for more suspicious activities that go with four-door vehicles and those darker in color — somebody that's pulled over on the side of a road or coming out of a wood line on the side of a freeway. Or if you see the same car driving around with no sense of purpose."
Does that mean some of the the shells were found near a wood line? Could it be a hunter?
"We'd rather check that out and err on the side of caution."