GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, (Reuters) – A gunman killed seven people, including two children, in two homes in western Michigan on Thursday and then led police on a high-speed chase before taking three hostages, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as Rodrick Dantzler, released one of the hostages after police surrounded a house in Grand Rapids where he had sought refuge.
“He has released one of the hostages that he was holding. There is a 53-year-old woman who lived at the house who has been released,” Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk said.
“We are hoping to continue negotiating with him,” he added, “and have him surrender.”
Earlier it was thought there were two adult hostages, a man and woman, but another adult woman was hiding in the home and was discovered, Belk said.
The standoff followed the discovery of the bodies of five adults and two children in two separate locations in the city, setting off a manhunt that involved police helicopters, state police and local sheriff’s deputies.
Police spotted Dantzler in a car shortly after the grisly discoveries and began a pursuit that led through downtown Grand Rapids, police spokesman Sergeant Jon Wu said.
Dantzler fired at the officers several times during the chase and police returned fire. Two bystanders were wounded during the chase.
Investigators do not know the motive for the killings but believe that the suspect had relationships with at least one person at each location, Belk said.
The hostages were believed to be strangers to Dantzler.
