Jason Dalton and the 2016 Kalamazoo Shooting Spree
Background
Jason Brian Dalton was a 45-year-old insurance adjuster and part-time Uber driver living near Kalamazoo, Michigan, when he carried out a series of apparently random shootings on February 20, 2016. Over approximately five hours, Dalton attacked people at three separate locations across Kalamazoo County, killing six people and seriously wounding two others.
The victims had no known connection to Dalton or to one another beyond the relationships within their individual groups. Investigators found no evidence that he had selected them because of a personal dispute or identifiable grievance. The unexplained nature of the attacks, combined with Dalton's continued acceptance of ride requests between shootings, made the case especially disturbing to investigators and residents.
Erratic Driving Before the Shootings
Earlier on February 20, Uber passenger Matt Mellen requested a ride from Dalton. During the trip, Dalton allegedly began driving recklessly after receiving a telephone call. Mellen later described Dalton speeding, swerving into opposing traffic, crossing a median, ignoring traffic signs and sideswiping another vehicle.
Mellen repeatedly asked Dalton to stop and eventually escaped from the vehicle. He contacted police and warned others about the driver's behavior. Hours later, authorities would connect Dalton to the deadly attacks unfolding throughout Kalamazoo County.
The Shooting of Tiana Carruthers
The first known shooting occurred at approximately 5:42 p.m. on February 20, 2016, at the Meadows Townhomes on Meadows Boulevard in Richland Township. Tiana Carruthers was outside near several children when Dalton drove into the residential complex.
Dalton reportedly asked Carruthers whether she was another person. After she told him that she was not, he turned his vehicle around, raised a handgun and opened fire. Carruthers was struck multiple times in her arms, legs and lower body. She fell near a parked vehicle and pretended to be dead while Dalton continued shooting.
Despite her severe wounds, Carruthers survived. She was credited with helping protect the children who were nearby when the gunfire began. Investigators recovered numerous cartridge casings from the scene and found bullet damage to a nearby residence.
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