Friday, September 11, 2009 at 11:04 a.m.
Read more: Local, State, National, Crime, Religion, Anti Abortion, Prolife, Antiabortion, Abortion, Activiest, Protest, Shot, Kill, Killed, Gravel, Pit, Owosso, Michigan, Shooting, High, School, Lockdown
OWOSSO, MI -- ***UPDATE AS OF 6:16PPM EDT:
According to Shiawassee County Prosecutor Randy Colbry, "The indication is that he had ill will ... a grudge against these three individuals." Harlan Drake was also licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Authorities are seeking a .22 caliber gun and a .45 caliber gun they believed were used in the shootings.
Fuoss’ brother-in-law, Glen Merkel, told the Detroit Free Press that Fuoss was found shot dead in his office around 7:30 a.m. by an employee. He said Fuoss was seen alive perhaps 20 minutes earlier when another truck driver for his company came to pick up a load of gravel.
***UPDATE AS OF 5:46PM EDT:
Harlan Drake has no previous criminal record. The nature of the crime, hatred towards a pro-life activist and his material, prosecutors have contacted federal authorities and this could be procecuted as a hate crime.
***UPDATE AS OF 5:12PM EDT:
Detectives with the Owosso Police Department have told NBC25 that Harland Drake had not made an attempt on James Howe's life. After he killed the first 2 gentlemen, he went home before he was going to try and find Mr. Howe. Police were waiting at his house when he came home after killing Jim Pouillon and then Mike Fouss. The suspect, Harlan Drake is presently married.
***UPDATE AS OF 4:47PM EDT:
The shooting suspect, Harlan James Drake, was arraigned and given no bond. An arraignment date has been scheduled for 9/25/09 at 2:30pm in the 66th District Court.
***UPDATE AS OF 3:39PM EDT:
Harlan Drake or "Hale" as he is known to friends is now charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree Premeditated Murder for the killings of James “Jim” Pouillon and Mike Fouss. Police say that Harlan Drake has told detectives that he had a list of 3 people in his head that he wanted to kill.
Two of the people on his "list" have died as a result but the third, James Howe, was not attacked. Since he has admitted to a third person on his hit list, it is resulting in a charge of unlawful intent with a firearm. There is no motive behind Mr. Howe or Mr. Fuoss, who owned the Fouss Gravel Company. There is only one known connection between Mike Fouss and Harlan Drake, his mother used to work for Mr. Fouss.
As to the reason for the killing of pro-life activist Jim Pouillon, Harlan Drake has told police that he was “offended” by Pouillon’s anti-abortion messages. Neighbors of Jim Pouillon say that he was a quiet man in recent years but his checkered past was a result of his boisterous protests. They have commented that some might not have agreed with his message or his graphic displays of aborted fetus’ on his protest signs but he was quiet man in his older age.
Charges:
2 counts of 1st Degree Pre-meditated Murder
1 count of Felony Firearm Possession
1 count of Unlawful Intent with a Firearm
***UPDATE AS OF 2:04PM EDT:
Police have released the names of the victims in a double shooting in Owosso.
At approximately 7:20 a.m., Jim Pouillon, a prolife activist, was shot and killed at Owosso High School. The shooter then drove to Fuoss Gravel where, around 8:17 a.m., President Mike Fuoss was also shot and killed.
Police believe Fuoss and Pouillon knew each other, and probably were acquainted with the shooter.
The entire Owosso school district was put on lock down early this morning. The Elementary, Middle, and Alternative Ed school have since been taken off the lockdown. The high school is releasing students if parents come and sign students out, otherwise students will remain in the building throughout the remainder of the day.
NBC25 is told Pouillon was well-known for his pro-life activities in the city of Owosso. He often stood in very visible areas with large graphic anti-abortion signs. The interim superintendent, Susan Wooden, says he was also well known at the High School where he would stand most mornings while students walked into school. The Flint Area Right to Life says Pouillon was a quiet man who prayed often in front of schools and local organizations.
Approximately 45 minutes after the shooting, police apprehended a suspect. At this time, NBC25 does know the name of the suspected shooter and will hold the release of his name. Police are not releasing the suspects name until warrants have been issued. The Shiawassee County Sheriff's Department says the suspect himself and witnesses are being interviewed.
*All after school activities in Owosso School District have been canceled out of reverence for the victims and their families.
* The Shiawassee County Prosecutor, Randy Colbry, has announced he will be holding a 3:00 p.m. press conference. NBC25 has team coverage on this story and will update you when we learn more.
Stay with NBC25 for further details.
