Kalamazoo shooting suspect visited gun shop hours before spree

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. -- Gun shop owners in area of the Kalamazoo shootings say that suspect Jason Dalton was a repeat customer.

Jonathan Southwick, who owns Southwick's gun store, told CBS affiliate WWMT that Jason Dalton was a regular at the store, so he recognized him right away when he stopped hours before the deadly spree and bought a jacket with an inside pocket designed for a handgun.

Jeff Cramer, who owns the On Target gun shop, told The Associated Press that Dalton had purchased long guns from the store, but he does not know if he ever sold him a handgun.

Authorities believe a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was used in the killings.

On the day of the shootings, Dalton spoke to the owner during his visit to Southwick's.

Southwick said he went over to Dalton and asked how he was doing, to which Dalton replied that he was "doing good, just out enjoying the weather," Southwick said. "After that, he proceeded to walk down to our clothing department, tried on some of the 5:11 jackets. "

Dalton was captured on surveillance video Saturday "laughing and joking." He gave the manager a "one-armed hug" before making the purchase.

Southwick said Dalton did not buy a weapon there.

And Cramer, the other gun shop owner, said he would feel "uncomfortable" if the gun Dalton allegedly used in the killings had come from his shop.

Law-enforcement officials have not disclosed where the gun was purchased.

The 45-year-old Dalton is charged with six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder in the random shooting spree.

The gun shop Dalton is said to have visited the day of the shootings is in Plainwell, about 20 miles north of Kalamazoo. The shop where he is said to have purchased guns, is in Kalamazoo.