Many on social media say Kalamazoo shooting suspect was their Uber driver
KALAMAZOO, Mich. --Authorities said at least six people were killed and several others wounded in separate shootings Saturday night in the Kalamazoo, Michigan, area. A single gunman, who was arrested early Sunday morning, was believed responsible.
Police have arrested Jason Dalton of Kalamazoo, and accused him of going on a shooting spree that investigators have so far called random.
After Dalton's mugshot was released to the public, dozens took to social media to claim Dalton was an Uber driver who was working not long before the shooting.
Later, Uber told CBS News Dalton was indeed one of their drivers, and added he had passed their background check during the hiring process.
Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said Sunday he is aware of a social media post regarding Dalton and Uber. Getting added that it is part of the investigation, but he was not prepared to discuss it.
Getting said Dalton likely will face multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with the shootings Saturday. Dalton is expected to appear Monday before a judge in a Kalamazoo County courtroom.
CBS affiliate WWMT reported that neighbors say Dalton was paranoid in recent months, and known to fire off guns. Dalton does not have a criminal record, and he is expected to be arraigned sometime Monday. Sources told WWMT that Dalton works as an insurance adjuster.
Some took to social media to claim to have called 911 on him just before the shooting took place.
Officials claim to have so far found no motive for the shootings, and have described them as "random."
One of Dalton's alleged Uber passengers told WWMT: "He introduced himself with a different name than what Jason was that comes up for Uber."
Matt Mellen, who works at a local brewery, said "We were driving through medians, driving through the lawn, speeding along and when we came to a stop, I jumped out the car and ran away."
Mellen said that's when he called police.
"I'm upset because I tried contacting Uber after I had talked to the police saying that we needed to get this guy off the road," said Mellen.