In the wake of the tragedy in Kalamazoo, Michigan where 6 people were fatally shot and 2 wounded, one of the survivors is being herald as a hero.
On Saturday, February 20th, when alleged gunman, Jason Dalton pulled up to Meadows Townhomes apartment complex, Tiana Carruthers, had a feeling that something wasn’t right. She began shepherding kids inside and placed herself in front of at least five children to shield them from Dalton’s gun fire.
As a result, the 25-year-old mother was shot three times in her arms and legs and is currently in critical condition. She was still conscious when authorities arrived and she was able to provide police with a description of Dalton and his car.
“He shot her once and she was still running and then he shot her again and she fell. She was asking, ‘Joi, help me.'” recounted Joi Coleman, a 12-year-old who interacted with the gunman prior to the shooting.
Supposedly, Dalton had been seen on the property at least four times that day. Coleman told police that the last time he was there, he approached her and asked if she had seen “Mazie”, a person who authorities have been unable to identify.
Besides Carruthers, no other people were injured at the apartments. After leaving the young mother for dead, Dalton continued his shooting spree having fatally shot: Mary Lou Nye, 60, Mary Joe Nye, 62, Barbara Hawthorne, 68, and Dorothy Brown, 74, at a nearby Cracker Barrel restaurant.
Father and son Richard Smith and his son Tyler, 17, were also shot and killed by Dalton while looking at cars around 10 p.m that evening.
A seventh victim, Abigail Kopf, who was also wounded at the restaurant is currently fighting for her life.
The 45-year-old assailant who was also an Uber driver, had at least three passengers during the shooting spree. He’s been apprehended by police and is expected to face multiple first degree murder and attempted murder charges when he appears in court next Monday.
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