HOWELL, Mich. – During FBI Special Agent Anthony Hartman’s interview with Raulie Casteel, Hartman said the alumnus openly spoke about the .45-caliber revolver and 9mm pistol he had in his home.
When he went upstairs to retrieve them that day, Hartman said he remained cautious.
“I followed (Casteel),” he said. “I didn’t want him to shoot himself or me.”
Police also later found bullets inside his Chevrolet Malibu that matched evidence found earlier on the scene.
Several law enforcement officials testified Wednesday morning at Livingston County Circuit Court in Howell, Mich. in the alleged I-96 shooter’s trial.
Casteel is facing nine counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, nine felony firearms counts and a terrorism charge in Livingston County.
He could face life in prison if convicted, and will be sentenced in Oakland County later this month.
The shootings occurred between the between Oct. 16 and Oct. 27, 2012, along the I-96 corridor across four different counties, including Ingham, Livingston, Oakland and Shiawassee.
Once a police task force was initiated during the shooting spree, local police didn’t focus on much else, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Major Robert Smith said.
“This task force was initiated faster than any task force I’ve seen in my time,” Smith said. “It became the focus of pretty much everything we did everyday. This was priority.”
During that time, any tips made to the department took precedence and officers were instructed to stand down on normal duties to respond.
“There were minor crimes that just didn’t get investigated at this time,” Smith said.
Major Joel Maatman of the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office explained that several cases in his county were also put on hold for this violent situation.
“There were people that had to wait maybe a day or two to get a police car out there,” he said.
Nearby schools faced a great deal of stress at the time as well.
Howell and Brighton public school were put into lockdown.
During school hours in Oakland County, about 50 percent of the patrol force was assigned to protect the schools both inside and in the immediate area, Smith said.
Lt. Scott Domine of the Livingston County Sheriff Department said bus routes were altered for Howell, Hartland and Brighton Public Schools.
Recesses were moved indoors, and officials did their best to keep parents informed and to control anxiety.
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