I-96 shooter

I-96 shooting suspect to undergo psychiatric exam

The Associated Press — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:17:32 +0000

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - The lawyer for a man charged in a series of shootings on and off Interstate 96 in Michigan says his client will undergo an independent psychiatric examination.

Attorney Doug Mulkoff told Oakland County Circuit Judge Denise Langford Morris on Thursday that he was in the process of arranging the evaluation for Raulie Casteel.

Langford Morris approved a request for a pre-trial date, now set for May 30.

Casteel faces 60 charges, including attempted murder, linked to shootings in Commerce Township and Wixom.

Two dozen random shootings occurred last fall in a four-county area. One man was hurt.

In a separate but related case, the Michigan attorney general's office is prosecuting Casteel on terrorism and other charges in Livingston County.

Defense attorneys say Casteel is married with no criminal history.

I-96 shooter suspect found competent to stand trial

Mark Brush — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:30:04 +0000

For 11 days in October, people along the I-96 corridor were on high alert as motorists experienced a rash of shootings. Remarkably 0nly one person was wounded.

Police nabbed the man they say was responsible for the shootings, and today 43 year-old Raulie Casteel was found to be fit to stand trial in Livingston Co.

Casteel faces a separate set of charges in Oakland County, and the Attorney General's office brought a terrorism charge against him.

Casteel's defense lawyers say he is college-educated with no criminal history.

Michigan Attorney General files terrorism charges against I-96 shooter

Jake Neher — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:32:12 +0000

The man suspected of firing shots at more than 20 vehicles along I-96 and nearby roads faces a charge of terrorism and other felonies.

State Attorney General Bill Schuette filed the charges Thursday.

43-year-old Raulie Casteel could face life in prison if convicted. He also faces 60 counts in Oakland County related to the shooting spree.

Joy Yearout is a spokesperson for the attorney general. She said the charges are meant to send a message.

“Certainly terrorism is an unusual charge, but the facts of this case warrant it,” Yearout said.

The attorney general is consolidating cases related to shootings in Ingham, Livingston, and Shiawassee counties.

One person was injured in the shootings.

I-96 shooter prosecution to be led by Michigan Attorney General's office

Mark Brush — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:02:33 +0000

The man accused of shooting up cars along I-96 in four different counties in Michigan will be prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General's office.

Raulie Casteel, 43 of Wixom, is accused of shooting at 24 vehicles along roadways in Oakland, Livingston, Ingham and Shiawassee counties last October.

He's now being held in jail in Oakland County where he's been charged.

He was also charged with the crimes in Livingston County.

No charges have been filed yet in Ingham and Shiawasee counties.

The Detroit Free Press has more on why the AG's office is leading the prosecution:

"I believe it is beneficial for the prosecution of this case and for the convenience of the witnesses to have a single source of prosecution,” Livingston County Prosecutor David Morse said in a release issued today by state Attorney General Bill Schuette. “It will provide a consistent approach to the case that is not possible with multiple jurisdictions handling multiple cases."
Schuette’s Criminal Division will review evidence collected by the multi-jurisdictional task force and make a decision about what additional criminal charges should be filed, if any, according to the release.

In this morning's Michigan news headlines....

Mark Brush — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:09:04 +0000

I-96 shooter suspect to undergo competency exam

The man accused of randomly shooting at motorists along Interstate 96 made his his first appearances in court yesterday. Raulie Wayne Casteel was arrested last week for the shootings.

In this morning's Michigan news headlines...

Mark Brush — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:05:54 +0000

I-96 shooting suspect expected to be arraigned on more charges today

The 43 year old Wixom man was arraigned in Livingston Co. yesterday on several felony charges. Today, MLive reports Raulie Casteel is expected to face more charges in Oakland County:

It's been confirmed that Raulie Casteel, the suspected I-96 corridor shooter, will be arraigned on additional charges in Oakland County's 52nd District Court in Wixom today.

Court officials said the hearing is tentatively scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

MLive reports Casteel could face charge in all four counties the shootings took place in, and that federal officials are also considering charges because several shootings took place on an interstate highway.

The race for Michigan's 1st Congressional District continues

The latest tallies show that 2,328 votes separate incumbent Congressman Dan Benishek (R) and his challenger Gary McDowell (D). Less than 1 percent of the total votes cast.

The 1st Congressional District represents people in Michigan's U.P. and parts of the northern lower peninsula.

From Interlochen Public Radio's Linda Stephan:

A spokesman for Gary McDowell (D) says the campaign will decide as soon as tonight whether to request a recount in the race for the 1st Congressional District. McDowell has not conceded the race – though incumbent Congressman Dan Benishek (R) has declared victory.
McDowell Campaign Manager Zack Knowling says the Democrat won’t concede until the official numbers are in from a state canvassing.

"This is a very close race and we believe we owe it to all the voters of northern Michigan to ensure every vote is counted," said Knowling.
There is no automatic recount for U.S. House races. If McDowell wants a recount, he’ll have to pay for it: $10 per precinct.

Michigan State House votes on leadership

Representative Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) was narrowly re-elected last Tuesday and yesterday, members of the State House voted to keep him on as Speaker of the House for two more years.

Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) will take over as state House minority leader in January. Former House Minority Leader Richard Hammel (D-Mount Morris Twsp.) will not return next year due to term limits.

Wixom man charged with multiple felonies in I-96 shooting case

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:42:50 +0000

The Wixom man thought to be responsible for a series of shootings along the I-96 corridor was charged Wednesday with multiple weapons-related felonies.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Raulie Wayne Casteel, 43, was arraigned in 53rd District Court on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent and intentionally discharging a weapon from a motor vehicle, and on three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Arrest made in I-96 shooter case

Steve Carmody and Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:00:22 +0000

Update November 7, 1:00 p.m.

Police are beginning to reveal more details about the man they say is responsible for shootings along the I-96 corridor.

They have confirmed that Raulie Wayne Casteel is being held in the Oakland County jail while he awaits arraignment, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office and four Michigan counties are meeting to determine what charges to file against the 43-year-old Wixom man.

Police say prosecutors have until tomorrow night to charge him or let him go, the Free Press reports.

Person of interest in custody in I96 shootings

The Associated Press — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:25:48 +0000

WIXOM, Mich. (AP) - Michigan authorities have taken a person of interest into custody in connection with dozens of shootings across four counties that resulted in at least one injury.

Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth tells The Associated Press that authorities executed a search warrant late Monday night in Wixom, the Detroit suburb where the shootings began last month.

Wriggelsworth says authorities are "trying to confirm whether he's our guy or not."

Updates on the I-96 shooter

Mark Brush and Stateside Staff — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:00:37 +0000

Update Thursday, November 1, 2:00 p.m.

A series of shootings on or near I-96 has Michigan motorists thinking twice about driving the interstate.

A police task force reports 24 confirmed shootings since October 16. Here is a summary of what we've learned since then:

Tips up in I-96 shooter investigation, so's the fear

Steve Carmody — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:48:29 +0000

There’s concern that news media coverage of an unsolved shooting spree along the I-96 corridor is spreading fear in the motoring public.

Its happened a couple times since the shooting spree investigation started a few weeks ago. The news media starts reporting on a new possible incident involving the shooter. Only later it turned out that it was a minor ‘road rage’ incident or a rock hitting a car windshield.

Police: Shooting of man on freeway linked to spree

The Associated Press — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 21:00:00 +0000

FOWLERVILLE, Mich. (AP) - Authorities are linking the shooting of a motorist driving along Interstate 96 in Livingston County to a string of shootings across southeastern Michigan.

Sheriff Bob Bezotte told WWJ-AM the man was taken to the hospital Saturday afternoon after being shot in the hip by a bullet that came through the driver's-side door. Bezotte says shots were fired at another car earlier but its two occupants weren't injured.

Stateside: I-96 Shooter, Commuters safer than they may think

Stateside Staff — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 19:14:06 +0000

Police are searching for the person responsible for a series of shootings along the I-96 corridor. From October 16-18, 22 people were reported being shot and although no one was injured, there were some close calls.

Complaints came from Oakland, Livingston, Ingham and Shiawassee counties.

These random attacks evoke memories of the 2002 Washington D.C. shootings that left 10 people dead and three critically wounded.

Often these violent acts are accompanied with a considerable amount of worry and fear- their erratic nature is the source of our distress.