Fatal victims of Kalamazoo shooting rampage identified

6 victims, 4 women and 2 men, identified

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A retired teacher, a woman who was simply standing outside her apartment, a father and son who were checking out cars at a dealership and a 14-year-old girl who was on her way home after seeing a play are among the victims of a man who went on a shooting rampage in Kalamazoo on Saturday.

Police said the rampage began about 6 p.m. outside an apartment complex on the eastern edge of Kalamazoo County, when 45-year-old Jason Dalton shot a woman multiple times seriously wounding her.

A little more than four hours later and 15 miles away, Dalton allegedly shot Rich and Tyler Smith while they were at the Seelye Ford KIA Dealership on Stadium Drive.

Fifteen minutes after that, Dalton allegedly gunned down five people -- including the 14-year-old girl -- in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel restaurant.

The deceased victims from the restaurant shooting have been identified as:
• Mary Lou Nye, 62, of Baroda, Mich.
• Mary Jo Nye, 60, of Battle Creek, Mich.
• Dorothy Brown, 74, of Battle Creek, Mich.
• Barbara Hawthorne, 68, of Battle Creek, Mich.


The 14-year-old girl is in critical condition at Bronson Hospital. In a statement, her parents asked for privacy.

"We are calling on community members who know the name of our daughter, to please maintain her privacy by not sharing her name or photos in the media or on social media. We would like the community to know that our daughter’s prognosis is uncertain as she continues fighting for her life. The family asks the media to respect our privacy by not contacting us or visiting our home," the statement said. 

Dalton was arrested early Sunday in Kalamazoo. 

Department of Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley said investigators contacted Dalton's wife Saturday evening "to make sure she wasn't a victim." Hadley added that she has cooperated with police in their investigation.

Police said the shootings appear to be random, and Dalton doesn't have a criminal history. He was working as an Uber driver the night of the shootings.

Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said Dalton of will likely face multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says "the victims and their families -- and the entire Kalamazoo area -- should be in everyone's thoughts.” Snyder has also ordered that all Michigan flags be lowered to half-staff for six days starting Monday as a mark of respect for the victims.

Hundreds gathered Sunday night to pray for the victims.

Mya Hoke, who went to school with Tyler Smith, said he was a sweet guy.

"(He was) always laughing," Hoke said. "(His) whole lookout (was), 'What can I do to make you happy?'"

Stay with Local 4 and ClickonDetroit.com for updates in this story.

Mary Jo Nye

Barbara Hawthorne