Allegedly, a Michigan highway sniper is on the loose. Police say a gunman may be targeting vehicles along two Interstate highways, according to an ABC7 Chicago report.
On August 19, authorities received a report that a motorist’s car sustained damage after taking on gunfire from a sniper’s weapon. During the investigation of the alleged shooting, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office learned of earlier reports of similar incidents dating back to July 29.
According to CNN , another motorist reported receiving gunfire as they drove along the highway. Michigan police concluded that a sniper is targeting vehicles along I-69 and I-94. Ballistics tests confirm that the damage to all vehicles involved is “consistent with a bullet.”
Investigators say the incidents took place at random times. All the shootings occurred during the day and night. Thankfully, there have been no injuries reported from the alleged sniper in Michigan at this time.
Three years ago, a man shooting at vehicles in Metro Detroit was apprehended by police, according to a report by WXYZ . A jury convicted Michigan sniper Raulie Casteel, 44, of terrorism for shooting at 23 vehicles on roads and highways in Ingham, Livingston, and Shiawassee counties near Battle Creek.
He later pleaded no contest to some other charges. He also claimed to be mentally disturbed. A judge handed him a sentence of 18 to 40 years in prison.
The reports of a Michigan highway sniper also draw similarities to the shootings along roadways in three Mid-Atlantic states over a decade ago. Then, John Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, known as the D.C. snipers, terrorized motorists and pedestrians in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington.
Unlike the Michigan sniper, the D.C. gunmen killed 17 people and injured scores more over eight chilling months. During that time, cities were left paralyzed and gripped in fear, as the shootings were mostly random. What’s more, police were challenged with learning where they would strike next.
Eventually, the highway snipers were arrested and convicted in 2003. Malvo was executed for his role in the killings, and his accomplice was handed several life sentences without the possibility of parole. According to King5 , two of the surviving targets are now reaching out to trauma victims.
Police say anyone who believes they’ve been shot at by a sniper along a Michigan highway should not stop to investigate. Instead, drivers should continue to a safe place where they can call 911 to report the incident.
[Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images]
