Man ran down family out for a walk before opening fire, killing child, police say

The man taken into custody Feb. 13 in an active violence incident drove a vehicle into a family out for a walk before exiting the vehicle and opening fire, killing a young child and injuring three others.

The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office, in a Feb. 15 Facebook update, said they found four victims when they responded to the incident that began about 5:30 p.m. in the area of Green Meadows Drive and Farmstead Lane in the township.

«Preliminary investigation shows a vehicle driven by the suspect struck a family who was out for a walk,» the sheriff’s office said in its statement. «The suspect then exited the vehicle and fired numerous shots at the members of the family. A bystander who attempted to help was also attacked and suffered serious injuries.»

No age or gender for the child who was killed was provided, but the sheriff’s office said a 72-year-old woman remains in critical condition. A 37-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman remain hospitalized in stable condition.

“At this time, investigators have every reason to believe this is an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community,” the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies with the assistance of the Michigan State Police took the suspect into custody on Feb. 13, and he is currently being held at the Eaton County Jail pending charges being authorized by the Eaton County Prosecutor.

An investigation is ongoing.

Police have not released an age or hometown for the suspect. His name has not been released because he hasn’t been charged or arraigned.