MSP beefs up I-96 patrols

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - In what's being called a precautionary move, more Michigan State Police troopers will patrol I-96 in the West Michigan area because of the roadway shootings east of Lansing.

Football fans traveling to the Michigan State game on Saturday can also expect to see more police along I-96, the Associated Press reports.

The shooter has put bullets in two dozen vehicles and wounded one motorist in the I-96 corridor between Lansing and Detroit. Only three of the shootings actually took place along the freeway. The others were nearby.

MSP Lt. Chris McIntyre told 24 Hour News 8 Thursday the move was also to help put drivers at ease.

"Patrols are being stepped up across the state," McIntyre said.

24 Hour News 8 took to the highway with an MSP sergeant Thursday to find out if they'll be pulling more drivers over as well.

"It is a scary situation, not only for drivers but just for the public in general," said Sgt. Scott Wilber. "You never know what triggers something like this or why it's happening."  

Drivers in West Michigan Thursday said they were concerned about the shooter.

"Somebody's got a gun that shouldn't have and he's got to be stopped," said driver James Berk. "So whatever measures they've got to take, I'm for."

Police say there's no evidence the suspect will target West Michigan next, but they're not taking any chances. That's what drivers like Berk want to hear.

"I think that's a good idea. I think that's really a good idea. I think it's one of the ways to stop the guy from doing it or people from doing it," said Berk.

The shooter may be driving a dark-colored 1998 Oldsmobile Alero or Toyota Camry.

But Sgt. Wilber said troopers won't be pulling over vehicles without good cause.

"There's more to it than just driving the same car," he said. "There would have to be some other identifiers there that would get us into a situation where we would want to talk to that particular individual."