Michigan shooting suspect commits suicide, hostages safe

2011-07-08 12:55:18

Rodrick Dantzler, 34, a suspect in seven murders in Northeast Grand Rapids, Michigan, is seen in this handout photo released by the Grand Rapids, Michigan Police Department July 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

CHICAGO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Police said a suspected killer of seven people in Grand Rapids, a southwest Michigan city, killed himself late Thursday night after an 8-hour manhunt and standoff, the Grand Rapids Press reported.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk told a news conference that the suspect, identified as Rodrick Dantzler, 34, was dead at the scene, and the two hostages remained safe.

Belk said Dantzler released a 53-year-old woman but still held two others before he fired a shot into his own head.

Dozens of police officers cordoned off a city neighborhood at about 8 p.m. local time (2400 GMT) after seven people, including two children, were fatally shot in related shootings at two homes in the city Thursday afternoon.

Four people were found dead in a Grand Rapids home and three others were found in another home, and the killing rampage appeared to stem from domestic issues, police said.

"This is a rare occurrence anywhere," said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell. "A homicide like this is exceedingly rare. It's an awful situation."

Police officers were reportedly involved in a chase at around 7 p.m. local time (2300 GMT), through downtown Grand Rapids to northbound U.S. 131 roadway and then eastbound I-96.

During the chase, a pedestrian was struck by Dantzler's car and he also shot two people, but they did not suffer life-threatening injuries, according to the police.

Shots were also fired from inside the apartment near the Plainfield Avenue and I-96 where the hostages were taken.

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