Shooting Spree Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder
NOVI (WWJ/AP) - A Wixom man accused in an October shooting spree that targeted motorists across Southeast Michigan has been charged with attempted murder.
Dozens of charges were read Friday in a court in Novi in Oakland County -- including several counts of assault with attempt to murder -- for a total of 60 counts in connection with shootings in Wixom and Commerce Township.
Raulie Casteel, a 43-year-old stay at home dad, stood mute to the latest charges at a video arraignment on Friday.
Judge Dennis Powers entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. Casteel, already jailed on a $2 million bond for a shooting in Livingston County, will now be held without bond on the Oakland County charges.
Wixom Police Chief Clarence Goodlein said he's confident they'll get a conviction, based on witness statements and evidence collected in the case.
Livingston County Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth told WWJ Newsradio 950 it was information they received over the last couple weeks, one of some 3,000 tips, that led them to Casteel's home on Monday -- the day of his arrest. Wrigglesworth said Casteel was driving a vehicle that matched the description provided by one of the victims. They seized that, along with at least one weapon.
There have been two dozen shootings in four counties in October on or near Interstate 96. Authorities said the crime scene covered a 100-mile area. No motive has been disclosed.
The shootings occurred Oct. 16 through Oct. 18, then stopped until Oct. 27 when a man was shot in the backside while driving on I-96 last near the Fowlerville exit. He was the only person struck by a bullet in this case.
Casteel's wife, father and stepmother were in court on Friday but had no comment.
Casteel is also expected to face charged in Ingham county, according to Undersheriff Allan Spyke.
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