Prosecutor: Kalamazoo suspect admits to deadly shootings

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — The Uber driver suspected in a series of three random shootings in Michigan admitted carrying out the seemingly random attacks that killed six people, a prosecutor said today.

Jason Dalton waived his right against self-incrimination before making the statement to authorities, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said.

Dalton's statements were used to file charges of murder and attempted murder, two days after the rampage in the Kalamazoo area.

Dalton appeared in court via video to hear the charges. He was ordered held without bond and will get a court-appointed attorney.

If he's convicted, the murder charges carry a mandatory life sentence. Michigan does not have the death penalty.

Meanwhile, an Uber passenger said he called police to report that Dalton was driving erratically more than an hour before the shootings began.

Matt Mellen told Kalamazoo television station WWMT that he hailed a ride around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. He said driver Jason Dalton introduced himself as "Me-Me" and had a dog in the backseat.

Mellen sat in front. About a mile into the trip, Dalton got a phone call, and when he hung up, he began driving erratically, blowing through stop signs and sideswiping cars, Mellen said.