Michigan highway sniper: Police probe possible sniper on I-94 and I-69

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Examiner

Michigan highway sniper: Police probe possible sniper on I-94 and I-69
August 29, 2015
6:44 AM MST

Police in Michigan believe they may have a highway sniper on their hands as six cars so far are reporting suspicious damage to their vehicles while traveling two of the state's highways. Police are probing a possible sniper targeting cars traveling on I-94 and I-69 in the Battle Creek area.

Six vehicles have been damaged since the end of July while traveling along the two highways. The damage occurred at night and in the middle of the day, but there are no reports of anyone being hurt in these possible sniper incidents, reports DB Techno on August 29.

Police have taken to the sky in the area to get a better handle on this and possibly find some clues from an aerial view of the reported locations. Police are asking any motorists in the area who spot suspicious damage to their car to contact the police.

Police are warning motorists that if you are driving and believe your car was shot at don't stop, but instead drive to a safe place. They suggest getting off the next exit and then call 911 from a public place.


Read more: http://www.examiner.com/article/michigan-highway-sniper-police-probe-possible-sniper-on-i-94-and-i-69

[Demeter]

1. Did they by any chance let out the idiot who was doing it in 2012?

'Michigan Sniper' pleads not guilty to attempted murder during terrorizing two-week interstate shooting spree

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-2230764/Raulie-Casteel-Michigan-Sniper-charged-attempted-murder-interstate-shooting-spree.html

A man arrested in a terrifying shooting spree that targeted motorists in southeastern Michigan for weeks has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of attempted murder. Raulie Casteel, a married, local father, was charged on Friday in Oakland County, where many of the 24 random shootings occurred last month over an agonizing two week period. The 43-year-old geologist has been in jail since his arrest on Monday. He was first charged on Wednesday in a shooting in Livingston County. Casteel was described in court on Friday as unemployed and financially dependent on his wife. The couple moved into her parents’ home in Wixom over the summer.

'Why did he do it? I don't know. I don't know if we'll ever know,' said Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth after Casteel’s arrest on Sunday.

He appeared by video from jail and didn't talk about the charges. The pleas were entered on his behalf, a typical practice at arraignments.

Police said bullet fragments that matched Casteel's 9mm handgun were lodged in victims' vehicles.

His wife, father and stepmother declined to comment after the court hearing in Novi.

Because Casteel has yet to be found guilty on the charges, David Morse, Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney said at a press conference on Friday: 'I should say that the public should still continue to use caution with respect to driving on I-96.'

Before his arrest Casteel bragged on his Twitter feed about carrying a handgun everyday and said President Obama should be arrested by the military and 'marched out of the White House in handcuffs.'

His mother, who lives in Florida, has said her son is mentally ill and that she had tried and failed to get him help, but she never believed he would resort to violence.

AND BELIEVE ME, THIS IS MORE DETAIL THAN EVER SURFACED IN A US MEDIA OUTLET...

Raulie Casteel sentenced to 18-40 years, in roadway shootings terror case

http://archive.freep.com/article/20140303/NEWS06/303030052/raulie-casteel-I-96-shootings-sentencing

[Thor_MN]

2. I believe they should not call the person a "sniper"

Probably feeds the asshole's ego and validates their fantasies.

I suggest JAAWAG, Just Another Asshole With A Gun.

[liberalmike27]

3. Well

Did I read he had a pistol? Wouldn't you need a rifle at least, to be a sniper?

Plus, you don't have to be a military sniper to be called a sniper, do you? Maybe so...

[liberalmike27]

4. Yes, it can be either

1. hidden shooter: somebody who shoots people from a concealed position
2. skilled military shooter: a member of the armed forces who is trained to shoot enemy soldiers from a concealed position

[Thor_MN]

6. A Sniper is a highly skilled shooter, trained in many skills.

This is likely some wannbe Rambo, an asshole with a gun.

But the media has to compete for eyes, so we have a sniper on our hands folks!!!

[Judi Lynn]

5. Maybe they believe if there is a chance there is a man deliberately shooting at cars,

it's better if people were alerted in time to protect themselves by choosing other routes.

They may see it as their job to help defend the citizens.

There would undoubtedly be hell to pay if they never brought any of it to public awareness.

[Thor_MN]

7. So calling the shooter a sniper is more effective than saying there is an asshole with a gun?

I'm not saying people should not be warned, or that the story be ignored. I'm objecting to glorifying the shooter as a "sniper"

[Judi Lynn]

8. I think I see it: a real sniper would leave no doubt a sniper was after folks. Is that it?

That would make sense.

I never considered it.

Maybe they need a name to cover a potentially dangerous shooter who hasn't killed anyone yet, but might be capable of doing it.

[Thor_MN]

9. Well, it's doubtful that a sniper would target cars...

The person who is doing the shooting probably sees themselves as a "sniper", I see no reason to validate their fantasy.

[bucolic_frolic]

10. "Suspicious damage"?

like, um, bullet holes?

Why the veiled language?

And what is wrong with these violent people?

I was musing the same subject on another story this morning ...
what do people think:

is there a common thread or motivation to all these shootings?

we hear lots of explanations

does FRUSTRATION fit the bill as a general root cause of feeling no other
solution than to grab a gun and pull the trigger?

Shooters feel blocked from something .... significant dialogue perhaps with family,
economic opportunity, perceived social justice, pop culture fame ... is this
getting anywhere?

Then their frustration, their perceived dehumanization and devaluation turns to
RAGE and HATRED. They reach an overflow point, like water building up in a dam.

Is our culture breeding these feelings? Most people would do something to soothe
themselves, watch a movie, grab a pizza, drink ... but these folks just build
frustration and anger.

Do you see other root causes, what feelings are MOTIVATING gunmen?

I understand there are weak minds, and people with high stress. But where
is the corner turned?