Rodrick Shonte Dantzler killed seven people and holding one person hostage (UPDATE)

Update

Police in Grand Rapids said Rodrick Dantzler committed suicide Thursday night.

Original story

Police in Michigan say a gunman, who allegedly shot and killed seven people earlier today, is holding at least one person hostage in a Grand Rapids home.

The suspect, who has been identified as 34-year-old Rodrick Dantzler, was initially holding two hostages but released one earlier tonight.

Reports say Dantzler shot and killed his victims, including two children, in two different homes before taking officers on a 15-minute chase through the city’s downtown area.

During the chase, the suspect, who was driving the wrong way on a highway, fired several shots at officers hitting at least two pedestrians.

Reports say those people did not suffer life-threatening wounds.

The suspect then abandoned his vehicle on I-96 and ran into the woods near Soft Water Lake and Rickman Avenue before breaking into a home.

Reports say there were two people inside the home.

He released a 53-year-old woman about 20 minutes later.

As of press time, Dantzler was still holding on person hostage.

Dantzler’s neighbors said the incident started as a domestic dispute between the suspect and his wife, who had recently asked him for a divorce.

Police have not been able to confirm these allegations.