Police: No shots along I-96 at US-23

BRIGHTON, Mich. (AP) - Police say they don't believe that someone shot at a car on a southeastern Michigan freeway in an area where there've been a string of recent shootings.

Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw in Brighton said Monday afternoon that some type of "projectile" likely hit the car of a woman driving earlier in the day on US-23 near I-96.

"We believe a projectile did hit the vehicle, but we believe it not to be a bullet," Shaw told 24 Hour News 8.
 
The motorist was driving along U-S 23, just north of I-96 near Brighton when the object hit her vehicle. She eventually pulled over and called police. That brought out the troops - K9 officers, a state police helicopter and plenty of manpower combed the area for hours.

But a closer look at the vehicle involved in this incident turned up no telltale signs of  gunfire - no slugs or obvious bullet holes.

"We can't  confirm that 100% until the vehicle actually goes to the MSP crime lab and they go over it with a finetooth comb because we're not going to rule out anything right off the bat," Shaw said.

Police say two weekend shootings are linked to the spree of at least 24 reports of gunfire near the interstate.  They include one that injured a motorist - a Delton man on his way to the World Series in Detroit.

He wants people to be cautious, but not to overreact.

"We're getting reports of people pulling their children out of school," he said. "None of these incidents have occurred near a school."

Many people from West Michigan and all around the state travel this corridor daily. For the police, this is a high priority.

"We're going to catch this individual," Shaw said. "We have multiple agencies looking for this person. Troopers are out there on the road doing what they're supposed to be doing. Just be careful and be vigilant."

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter is now up to $102,000 -- $50,000 each from the FBI and the ATF and $2000 from Crimestoppers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.