Task Force No Longer Seeking 'Witness' In Random Shootings
WIXOM (WWJ) - A task force investigating the two dozen random roadway shootings says it's no longer searching for the potential witness identified in a gas station surveillance video.
Wixom police say the witness came forward Friday night, was cooperative and assisted the task force with their investigation.
Officers are not saying, however, who the man is or what sort of information he may have provided.
Police on Friday released images of the man, which were taken at the Mobil Gas Station in Brighton on Oct. 27.
Meantime, police say they are continuing their investigation into a series of 24 known shooting incidents that occurred between Oct. 16 and Oct. 27. Shootings have been reported over a 100 mile stretch of roadway through Oakland, Livingston, Ingham and Shiawassee counties.
So far, only one person has been struck by a bullet. That man, who was shot in his backside while driving on I-96 last Saturday near the Fowlerville exit, is recovering from his injury.
Law enforcement officials suggested that the shootings involve one person armed with a semiautomatic handgun. They say ballistic evidence supports their theory that all shots fired came from the same weapon.
The suspect is believed to have fired a handgun at moving cars from a vehicle -- described by witnesses as resembling a dark 1998 Oldsmobile Alero or a 1998 Toyota Camry.
The suspect, who remains at large, is described as a white male in his late twenties or early thirties. One witness described him as "clean-shaven." However, it is possible he may change his appearance.
It is believed the suspect has spent a considerable amount of time in, or is otherwise familiar with, the areas where the shootings occurred, according to police.
Investigators say the suspect would have been unaccounted for at the times of the incidents and, if he did not have a legitimate reason to be in the affected areas, he may have fabricated stories regarding his activities during those time periods.
CLICK HERE to see a complete rundown of where and when the shootings occurred.
People who know the suspect may not believe he is capable of committing these types of crimes, police said. The suspect also may not necessarily have a violent criminal history.
As no arrests have been made yet, investigators urge the public to remain vigilant and security conscious, and to continue to provide any potentially useful information, even if it seems unimportant or if they think someone else has already filed a similar report or the information does not completely fit with previously reported information or suspect description.
Given the nature of these crimes, investigators believe additional victims may exist. Investigators are asking people who live or travel in the affected areas to inspect their vehicles for obvious bullet holes.
A reward of $102,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Information can discreetly be provided by calling the Wixom Police Department at 248-624-6114 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. You can also submit a tip online at www.1800speakup.org, or text "CSM" and your tip to CRIMES (274637).
