Alexander Lamar Banks, Jr. has been arrested on multiple charges, including murder
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Paige Smith’s 3-year-old daughter Harlow (left); Barb Cook (right).Credit : gofundme (2)
A Michigan community is reeling after a weekend shooting killed a 3-year-old girl and injured an elderly woman trying to save her.
Police responded to “an active violence incident” in Delta Township, Mich., on Friday, Feb. 13, where they found four victims, the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Sunday, Feb. 15.
They administered life-saving measures but a 3-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the statement. The other victims were a 37-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman and a 72-year-old woman.
Authorities arrested 21-year-old Alexander Lamar Banks, Jr. on several charges, including premeditated murder, the Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday.
Officials have not publicly released the names or any identifying information about the victims. The child was identified as Harlow in a GoFundMe cited by the Lansing State Journal.
The investigation revealed Banks allegedly crashed into the family, who were out on a walk with the Harlow in a pink wagon, the Lansing State Journal reported, citing court documents.
According to security camera footage cited in court documents, Banks then emerged from the vehicle, dropped a backpack and allegedly opened fire on the family, striking all three members.
He then seemed to reload the gun and allegedly began shooting the family again, per investigators.
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The 72-year-old woman, who has been identified in a GoFundMe as Barb, reportedly tried to save the family and was critically injured.
In the fundraiser, Barb’s family said she “ran directly into the danger and saved two lives by distracting the gunman and taking his attention away from the family he was shooting at.” Investigators allege Banks struck her several times.
Barb suffered severe trauma to her head and face, and had to undergo brain surgery, per the fundraiser, which was cited by the Lansing State Journal.
Barb’s intervention reportedly stopped the alleged attack on the child’s mother, who alleged to police Banks had pulled her hair so hard she thought he was trying to break her neck, the Lansing State Journal reported, citing court documents.
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Authorities allege Banks told them he carried out the attacks because he had been prompted by online threats, per court documents cited by WILX and the Lansing State Journal.
Banks allegedly told police that the threats stated “he had to kill someone to save his family,” and he drove around the neighborhood and targeted the family, per WILX.
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Banks has been charged with premeditated murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder and several other firearms charges, per the Eaton County prosecutor’s office.
He was arraigned on Tuesday and has been referred for a competency evaluation, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
“Alex has stood mute which means he has pled not guilty,” William Amadeo, who is representing Banks, tells PEOPLE. “At the arraignment I filed a motion for a competency to stand trial. Our defense will be that Alex is mentally incompetent.”
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