Jason B. Dalton charged with six counts of murder, could face life in prison if convicted
Suspect confessed to shooting while in police custody
14-year-old victim still "fighting for her life"
Investigators have no motive in shooting
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- A gunman who authorities say killed six people and wounded two others on Saturday evening during an hourslong rampage was charged Monday with six counts of murder.
Advertisement
Jason B. Dalton, a 45-year-old Uber driver, was arraigned via TV monitor Monday at the Kalamazoo County Courthouse. He was denied bail, and sat expressionless during the hearing. In addition to the murder charges, Dalton faces two counts of attempted murder and eight felony gun charges. If convicted of first-degree murder, he could face life in prison. Michigan does not have the death penalty.
Kalamazoo was terrorized on Saturday by the string of shootings. When asked Monday whether he had any comments to make regarding his ties to the community, Dalton replied, "I would prefer just to remain silent."
Dalton waived his right to avoid self-incrimination and confessed to police that "he took people’s lives," Kalamazoo Public Safety Detective Cory Ghiringhelli testified Monday.
Michigan State Police Detective Chuck Christensen told reporters after the arraignment that Dalton was "very stoic, very matter-of-fact" while talking to police after his arrest. "There was not a lot of reaction."
Advertisement
The shooting victims are four women who were killed in a Cracker Barrel restaurant parking lot, and a father and his teenage son who were killed while looking at cars at a dealership. Authorities have said the victims were randomly targeted.
The first shooting occurred around 5:40 p.m., when a woman was shot outside of a townhouse as she walked with two children. There was a gap of about five hours before the father and son were killed at the Kia dealership. Shortly after that, the four women were killed at the restaurant, and a 14-year-old was gravely injured. The teen's "prognosis is uncertain as she continues fighting for her life," her parents said in a statement released Monday afternoon.
Dalton, a married father of two, had no prior criminal record.
So far, authorities have not found a motive for the attacks.
"He had no record. He wasn’t on any of our radars," Kalamazoo Undersheriff Paul Matyas told The Huffington Post. "We’re trying to determine what’s going through his mind."
Officials are now focused on the secondary parts of the investigation, including nuances of the shootings, and the roughly four-hour time gap between the first and second shootings, Matyas said.
Advertisement
The FBI has offered its resources to the investigation, Matyas confirmed, adding that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is helping determine how Dalton acquired his weapon. Matyas noted it's likely that the firearm was obtained legally.
Several people have said that they used Uber to get a ride from Dalton in between shootings on Saturday, not knowing that he was possibly involved in the attacks. Matyas said this information was not relevant to the ongoing murder investigation.
Uber has said that Dalton passed its background check for new drivers, but Saturday's shooting reopened debate over how thoroughly the ride-hailing company screens drivers.
Story continues below photos.
Advertisement
Roughly 300 people gathered at St. Augustine Catholic Cathedral in downtown Kalamazoo at noon on Monday for a special mass dedicated to the victims.
Rev. Paul Bradley, bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, called for comfort and healing for the victims, as well as for Dalton and his family.
Advertisement
"This tragedy will not have the final world," Bradley said during the service.
Bradley told HuffPost he was "inspired" by the Kalamazoo community’s response to the shooting.
"It’s terrifying what happened here," Bradley said. "The reaction, it’s been shock and distress. It hasn’t been anger or vengefulness."
A typical midday mass normally attracts about 50 people, Bradley noted.
Dolores Axe was among the attendees at the service and told HuffPost that she has known Dalton, a longtime friend of her son, for years. She learned around 3 a.m. Sunday that Dalton was suspected in the deadly shootings and "couldn’t believe it," she said.
Peter Rizzo and his wife drove past the Cracker Barrel just moments after the shooting there. He said he felt compelled to attend the midday vigil.
"It was almost like Christmas trees out there," Rizzo said of the cluster of emergency vehicles lit up. He didn't stop at the restaurant because of the activity.
"It scares me something like that happened. I thought, 'It could be me.' It could be anywhere," he said.
Advertisement
Also on HuffPost:
These Are The Victims Of The Kalamazoo Shooting
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.