You will want clear facts up front: a vehicle struck a family gathering, killing a 3-year-old girl riding in a pink wagon and critically injuring the grandfather who tried to protect her. Authorities say the suspect then exited the vehicle and opened fire, and investigators have taken one person into custody as the probe and charging decisions continue.
The piece will walk through what happened at the scene, who the victims are, and how law enforcement is handling the investigation and potential charges. Expect a concise timeline of events, eyewitness accounts, and updates on the status of those injured as the story develops.
Details of the Incident
A vehicle struck a family gathered on a sidewalk, then the driver exited and fired a weapon. A young child in a pink wagon was killed and several adults were wounded.
Sequence of Events
Officers say the incident occurred about 5:30 p.m. when a man drove his car into a group of family members who were walking near a residential intersection west of Lansing. After impact, the driver stepped from the vehicle and fired multiple shots at people nearby.
Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as people rushed to help the injured and call 911. A bystander who attempted to intervene was also struck and sustained serious injuries.
Michigan State Police and Eaton County sheriff’s deputies responded after an active-violence alert was issued. Authorities later reported there was no ongoing threat after they took a suspect into custody at the scene.
Victims and Injuries
A 3-year-old girl riding in a pink wagon was killed at the scene. Family members identified by officials include an elderly man, described as the girl’s grandfather, who was critically injured trying to shield her.
Two other adults — a 37-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman — were transported to hospitals with injuries described as stable. A 72-year-old woman suffered critical injuries and remained hospitalized.
Names have not been released publicly pending family notifications. Medical and law enforcement updates have come from local prosecutors and sheriff’s office briefings.
Response by Law Enforcement
Eaton County sheriff’s deputies and Michigan State Police established a perimeter immediately after calls reported both a vehicle collision and shots fired. They treated the event as an active violence incident and coordinated with state troopers to secure the area.
Responders performed life-saving care on scene while detectives began evidence collection, including the vehicle and shell casings. The suspect was arrested nearby and booked into the Eaton County Jail; prosecutors announced multiple felony charges.
Officials told the public there was no ongoing threat after the arrest and urged anyone with video or information to contact investigators.
Investigation and Charges
Authorities say the suspect was taken into custody shortly after the attack and now faces multiple felony counts tied to the vehicle-ramming and subsequent shooting. Officials report evidence collected at the scene and witness statements shaped the immediate case against him.
Arrest and Custody
Sheriff’s deputies and state police arrested the suspect a short time after the incident near Green Meadows Lane and Farmstead Lane in Delta Township. He was booked into the Eaton County Jail and remains in custody pending arraignment.
Officers recovered the vehicle used in the attack and say investigators processed it for forensic evidence, including possible DNA and trace materials. Deputies also interviewed multiple witnesses at the scene and canvassed nearby homes for security camera footage.
The arrest followed an active-shooter alert that mobilized local and state resources. Law enforcement say the suspect was detained without a reported exchange of gunfire with officers.
Felony Charges Filed
Prosecutors charged the suspect with several felony counts that reflect both the vehicle ramming and the shooting. Charges include homicide for the death of the 3-year-old girl, as well as multiple counts of assault with intent to commit murder or other violent felonies for the wounded adults.
Additional counts may be filed as investigators review forensic findings and medical reports from the injured victims. Prosecutors indicated evidence supporting intent and premeditation is under examination, which could affect prosecutorial strategy and potential enhancements to the charges.
Court filings and the formal complaint list specifics of alleged conduct and injuries, and arraignment scheduling will set deadlines for discovery and pretrial motions.
Statements from Prosecutor Doug Lloyd
Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd addressed the case publicly, confirming the severity of the charges and the office’s commitment to pursue appropriate felonies. He noted the office is coordinating with law enforcement to ensure charges reflect the full scope of alleged conduct.
Lloyd emphasized the need to balance rapid case development with thorough review of evidence, including witness interviews and forensic results. He told reporters the prosecutor’s office will evaluate additional charges as new evidence is verified.
He also acknowledged the impact on victims and the community and said the office will work to maintain transparency about major case milestones while protecting ongoing investigative details.
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