[ 2011-07-08 ]

Police launched a manhunt for Rodrick Shonte Dantzler following the killings

Manhunt after seven killed in US
A man suspected of shooting dead seven people in
the US state of Michigan has killed himself, but
two hostages he had taken are safe, police say.

The death of the man named as Rodrick Shonte
Dantzler, 34, ended a dramatic eight-hour manhunt
in Grand Rapids.

The hunt began after four people were found dead
in one home and three others in another across the
city.

The suspect led police on a high-speed chase
through Grand Rapids before taking hostages in an
apartment.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk said he was
disappointed in the outcome of the standoff.

He said the suspect believed to be Dantzler had
earlier released one hostage - a 53-year-old woman
- but still held two others until he shot
himself.

He praised police officers and said it was a
"difficult time for our community".

Police Chief Belk said the shooting victims were
five adults and two children. He said the daughter
and an ex-girlfriend of Dantzler are among the
seven killed.

"At this point, we don't know the motive," he
said.

Mr Belk said two other people were shot as the
suspect fired at police during the chase, but
neither suffered life-threatening injuries.

The car driven by Dantzler was reported to have
crashed into a motorway ditch after which he fled
on foot, chased by police. The motorway remained
closed hours later.

Reports said he then entered an apartment and told
police he was holding hostages.

A resident who lives opposite one of the homes
where the fatal shootings happened said she had
seen the suspect at the ranch house where a couple
lived with two grown-up daughters.

Sandra Powney said she knew nothing of the
shootings until police converged on the cul-de-sac
in the afternoon.

"For a while we couldn't come outside," she said.
"They didn't know if there was someone still
inside the house."

Michigan state official Russ Marlan said records
showed that Mr Dantzler was released from prison
in 2005 after serving time for assault. He has not
been under state supervision since then, Mr Marlan
said.

Local media said authorities believed the suspect
might have been trying to get to Detroit, where he
has connections.

Source - BBC

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