KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Kalamazoo city officials are honoring the victims and survivors of a shooting rampage one year later.
Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell and Direcotor of Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley spoke with FOX 17 ahead of a vigil Monday evening at Wings Event Center.
"With the good comes the bad and we've got to step up and step forward," Hopewell said of the city's efforts to not hide from the tragedy, but to embrace each other to move forward.
Six people were killed and two others were wounded in the Feb. 20, 2016 shootings.
Richardand Tyler Smith were shot at the Kia dealership on Stadium Drive. Mary Jo Nye, Mary Lou Nye, Barbara Hawthorne and Judy Brown were killed later in their car at Cracker Barrel.
Abigail Kopf barely survived her injuries at the restaurant and is still undergoing major surgeries to replace part of her skull.
Tiana Carruthers was the first shooting victim that day and has recovered to speak publicly about the event.
Authorities have said they were carried out by an Uber driver in between rides picking up passengers. Jason Dalton faces six counts of murder.
Police have quoted him as saying a “devil figure” on Uber’s app was controlling him. His attorney has said Dalton is expected to plead insanity in his defense.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
