Prof: I-96 shooter 'intends to harm'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - It's the road that links West Michigan with metro Detroit. But I-96 and some of the roads around it on the east side of the state have apparently become a shooting gallery for at least one troubled individual.

Out of the 24 shootings reported since earlier this month, three have occurred  on the highway. The remaining 21 happened on surface roads near the highway, from  Ingham to Oakland counties.

"It's got people spooked and I think for good reason," Grand Valley State University Criminal Justice Professor Christopher Kierkus told 24 Hour News 8.

He's studied serial killers for years. And he knows the difference between a mentally unbalanced person who goes on a shooting spree, and a serial killer.

The mentally ill tend to be more sporadic, and their mental state changes through medication or other means.

The shootings may stop all together.

A serial killer gets pleasure from the shootings and doesn't stop -- even if he he has yet to kill one of his targets, as is the case of the I-96 area shooter.

"I think he clearly intends to cause harm and if he's not caught eventually somebody is going to be killed," Kierkus said.

Kierkus says there's no easy answer to stop someone bent on killing. Police would have to be in the right place at the right time.

"Serial killers do tend to follow patterns. And if you can identify the pattern you stand a decent chance of capturing the individual."
 
There is a $102, 000 reward being offered for tips. As of Wednesday afternoon, the task force handling the investigation said they've had 2, 000 tips.

But Kierkus isn't convinced the reward will lead directly to the shooter, as many serial killers keep to themselves.

"It's probably a solitary individual, which would fit the pattern of a missionary serial killer."

Michigan State Police are telling motorists to stay vigilant,  but don't overreact.

"So I think the message, 'don't panic,' is important," he said. "But, that said, it's a real threat. That's tough to deal with."