Authorities in Michigan have arrested a man accused of two fatal shootings during what police believe was “clearly, a planned killing spree.”
According to WJBK, Vernest Griffin allegedly began a string of shootings at businesses in the Detroit area Thursday morning.
Police say he first entered BSD Trucking in Taylor with a semiautomatic rifle and opened fire, shooting and killing one individual. He was armed with an AK-47, as reported by the Washington Post.
While still at that location, he is accused of stealing a semi truck at gunpoint.
From there, investigators believe he traveled to Pontiac, where he fatally shot 58-year-old Eriberto Perez at Aluminum Stamping Inc.
He drove to a third workplace, this time in Waterford, and asked for a specific individual before leaving without incident, according to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
Around noon, authorities claim Griffin stopped the semi truck to take several shots at local police officers before driving off again. He allegedly fired at police a short time later when he wrecked the truck.
He was shot during the exchange and remained in police custody at an area hospital as of the latest reports available.
Bouchard noted that despite “a couple tragedies” caused by the gunman, “there could have been many more” had officers not apprehended the suspect.
“He appeared to know exactly where he was going at each location and I suspect he was not done,” the sheriff said. “Who knows where he may have been headed to next?”
As ABC News reports, Griffin is reportedly a former employee at the trucking company where the shooting spree began. The victim at that location has not been named as of the latest reports available, but authorities say he is a 60-year-old relative of the business’ owner.
According to Taylor Police Chief John Blair, the suspect is “a disgruntled employee” of BSD Trucking who “came back for some sort of vengeance.”
[Featured image: WXYZ video screenshot]