'Had to kill someone': Driver armed with 12-gauge runs over family out for evening walk, blasts 3-year-old girl and tries to break mother's neck, cops say
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Inset: Alexander Lamar Banks, Jr. (Eaton County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The intersection where Banks allegedly ran over and shot at a family in Michigan (WLNS).

In a tragic incident last Friday, a 36-year-old man from Michigan drove his car into a family on a walk, then exited the vehicle and began shooting, resulting in the death of a child and injuries to three adults.

Alexander Lamar Banks, Jr. was apprehended over the weekend and now faces charges including first-degree premeditated murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder, and six firearm-related offenses, according to court documents.

The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office released a statement detailing the events that unfolded around 5:30 p.m. near Green Meadows and Farmstead Lane in Delta Township, located about 90 miles from Detroit. Deputies were dispatched in response to reports of “an active violent incident.”

Upon reaching the scene, emergency personnel found four victims and immediately initiated lifesaving measures while searching for the perpetrator. The Eaton County 911’s official X account alerted the public shortly after 6 p.m. about the “active shooter” situation, advising residents to avoid the area and secure their homes.

Deputies, with help from the Michigan State Police, soon located and detained Banks.

“The initial investigation indicates that the suspect drove into a family out for a walk,” the sheriff’s office reported. “After exiting the vehicle, he fired several shots at the family. A bystander who tried to assist also suffered serious injuries. Tragically, a young child was found deceased at the scene.”

In addition to the injured child, a 37-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman were hospitalized in stable condition while a 72-year-old woman was in critical condition on Sunday evening.

“At this time, investigators have every reason to believe this is an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community,” the sheriff’s office said.

Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney Doug Lloyd released a statement saying his office had been in constant contact with the sheriff’s office, but emphasized that revealing investigatory details outside of the courtroom “risks compromising the suspect’s constitutional rights” and hinders the office’s ability to “secure justice for the victims.”

“My heart is shattered for the family, friends, and loved ones of those who were victimized during the unthinkable tragedy that occurred in Delta Township on Friday night,” the statement said. “I remain committed to transparency, but in situations like this tragedy, providing a detailed public account at this stage, or as the incident was unfolding, would not be appropriate.”

The child victim was identified as a 3-year-old girl by Lansing NBC affiliate WILX, which reported that the cause of her death was a gunshot wound. The two younger adults injured in the attack were reportedly the girl’s mother and father.

In home security footage obtained by police, after driving a gray sedan into the family, Banks apparently got out of the car and began firing at the victims with a 12-gauge shotgun he had stashed in his backpack.

At some point during the attack, Banks is also seen grabbing the mother by her hair and “pulling it as if he was trying to break her neck,” the station reported, citing a probable cause affidavit.

In an interview with police, Banks allegedly admitted he purposefully tried to run over the family, saying he “had to kill someone to save his family.”

The day before the shooting, Banks reportedly packed the backpack with ammunition and his father’s shotgun in the garage. He then went out on Friday in his father’s vehicle.

“He drove around the block in his neighborhood a couple times and saw a family walking down the street,” the affidavit states. “Banks Jr. advised that he crashed into the family, intentionally trying to strike the male. Banks Jr. advised that he got out of the vehicle, grabbed the shotgun, and began shooting at the family he just crashed into. He then began beating a male with the shotgun and then an older female who came running towards him. Banks Jr. said he dropped the shotgun and fled on foot.”

Alexander appeared for his arraignment on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when he would be returning to court.

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