On Saturday, a presumed Uber driver opened fire outside an apartment complex, a car dealership and a restaurant in Michigan, killing six people during the rampage.
The gunman apparently had chosen his victims at random as he went on a killing spree lasting nearly seven hours, according to Kalamazoo authorities.
County officials identified the shooter as Jason Dalton, a 45-year-old Uber driver who had no criminal record. Dalton was arrested Sunday after the wave of attacks that took place on Saturday evening and it seems as he acted alone on the killings.
Photo credit: Uber People
Apparently Dalton was on duty while he decided among people at random to murder cold blooded. The Uber driver picked up and dropped off passengers between shootings, according to CNN. He’s suspected of shooting eight people at various locations in both Richland Township and Texas Township.
Dalton’s manhunt began about 6p.m. Saturday outside an apartment complex on the eastern edge of Kalamazoo County. He fired multiple shots to a woman outside the complex yet she’s expected to survive. Then he visited a car dealership where Dalton killed a father and his 18-year-old son. Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas, who witnessed the murder scenes, described the series of attacks.
Jason Dalton will be brought to justice on Monday afternoon where he’s expected to be charged with six counts of murder, two counts of assault with attempt of murder and six counts of felony with a firearm. “And then we’ll see from there,” said Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeffrey Getting.
A candlelight vigil for the victim is schedule for 7p.m. Sunday at Centerpoint Church off 10th Street in Oshtemo Township.
Uber driver fails security background check
According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, Uber released a statement confirming Dalton was a driver and said he had passed their background check.
As the ride hailing leader company worldwide, Uber prides itself as a safe way to travel. It makes sense that the ride sharing company would want to test its new drivers in all ways possible before hiring them.
Chief Security Officer at Uber, Joe Sullivan said, “We’re horrified and heartbroken at the senseless violence in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this devastating crime and those recovering from injuries.”
However, the security process for incoming new drivers has its faults as Dalton had no prior criminal record and was taken into custody without resistance.
People applying to work in Uber have to provide all the basic information as full name, address and vehicle documentation and social security number, among many others. Then, Uber uses Checkr, a background investigation service to cross check their addresses with national, state and local databases for convictions.
Source: Washington Post