Grand Rapids shooting spree leaves 7 dead, plus shooter

Grand Rapids, Mich. police say Rodrick Shonte Dantzler, a 34-year-old ex-convict, killed seven people, including two children. He then led police on a high speed chase, before killing himself inside a house where he had been holding hostages.

A man who claimed his daughter was inside the house where three bodies were found collapses in the street Thursday, July 7, 2011 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Police say seven people have been fatally shot at two locations in the western Michigan city of Grand Rapids and the victims include a child.

Grand Rapids Police investigate the scene on Knapp Street near James Ave. Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Grand Rapids, Mich. Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell says seven people have been fatally shot in related shootings at two homes in the southwest Michigan city and police are searching for a suspect.

People react near the scene in Grand Rapids, Mich. where three bodies were found Thursday, July 7, 2011. Police say seven people have been fatally shot at two locations in the western Michigan city and the victims include a child.

Police close off Interstate 131 northbound, Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Grand Rapids, Mich. A gunman opened fire in two separate Michigan homes Thursday, killing seven people, including a child, before leading police on a high-speed chase through downtown Grand Rapids, authorities said.

Police investigate a home where three bodies were discovered from a shooting rampage, Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Grand Rapids, Mich. A gunman opened fire in two separate Michigan homes Thursday, killing seven people, including a child, before leading police on a high-speed chase through downtown Grand Rapids, authorities said.

A Grand Rapids police car that was both hit and fired upon sits on the corner of Division and Fulton in Grand Rapids, Mich. after Roderick Dantzler, suspected in fatal shootings at two separate homes that killed seven people, led police on a high speed chase Thursday, July 7, 2011.

Tricia Jimenez, 27, of Grand Rapids, left, and a close friend grieve after finding out their close friends' parents were murdered in their home on Brynell Avenue in Grand Rapids, Mich. Thursday, July 7, 2011. Four victims were found in the basement of Byrell Avenue home, and another three were found another home across town.

A Grand Rapids Police officer, right, and a Kent County Sheriff's deputy have guns out behind a home in Grand Rapids, Mich., Thursday, July 7, 2011. Roderick Shonte Danzler was holding hostages in the house after killing seven people in two other homes.

Grand Rapids Police officials wait near the area where suspect Roderick Dantzler was holding hostages in an apartment building. Dantzler had killed seven people in two homes and then killed himself to end the standoff.

Grand Rapids Police and the Kent County Sheriff's Department are on scene otuside a home in Grand Rapids, Mich. where three bodies were found Thursday, July 7, 2011. Police say seven people have been fatally shot at two locations in the western Michigan city and the victims include a child.

Crime scene tape stretches in front of a home where three bodies were discovered from a shooting rampage, Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Grand Rapids, Mich. A gunman opened fire in two separate Michigan homes Thursday, killing seven people, including a child, before leading police on a high-speed chase through downtown Grand Rapids, authorities said.

Police close off a section of downtown Grand Rapids, at the intersection of Division Street and Fulton Street, after a pedestrian was allegedly struck by a suspect running from the police Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Grand Rapids, Mich. The suspect opened fire in two separate Michigan homes Thursday, killing seven people, including a child, before leading police on a high-speed chase through downtown Grand Rapids, authorities said.

Police officers check the embankment alongside Interstate 131 northbound in Grand Rapids, Mich., after a high-speed car chase in pursuit of a shooting spree suspect, Thursday, July 7, 2011.

Grand Rapids, Mich., residents stand outside a police line where a gunman was holding a hostage Thursday, July 7, 2011. Earlier in the day the gunman opened fire in two Michigan homes, killing seven people before leading police on a high-speed chase through downtown Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids police cordon off an area in northeast Grand Rapids, Mich., where a gunman was holding a hostage, Thursday, July 7, 2011. The gunman earlier opened fire in two Michigan homes, killing seven people before leading police on a high-speed chase through downtown Grand Rapids.

A Kent County Sherriff's Deputy holds a shotgun at the scene where Roderick Dantzler was holding hostages in an apartment building in Grand Rapids, Mich., Thursday July 7, 2011. The standoff ended when Dantzler killed himself.