Two people held hostage by suspected killer of 7 in southwestern Michigan city
CHICAGO. July 8. KAZINFORM Police confirmed that two people have been held hostage by a suspected killer of seven in Grand Rapids, a southwest Michigan city Thursday night, the Grand Rapids Press reported. Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
Seven people, including two women and a child, were fatally shot in related shootings at two homes in the city.
Dozens of police officers had descended on a city neighborhood shortly after 8 p.m. local time (2400 GMT). State Police Lt. Col. Gary Gorski said police have surrounded the suspect and advised residents to stay in their homes.
Describing the murder suspect Rodrick Dantzler, 34, armed with a handgun "highly agitated," police confirmed that a man and a woman, were taken hostage inside an apartment near the Plainfield Avenue and I-96.
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.
Shots were fired during the manhunt and from inside the apartment where hostages were taken. Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com for full version