I-96 Shooting Suspect Faces Felony Terrorism Charges

The 43-year-old Wixom man accused of shooting at cars along the I-96 corridor will face seven felony charges, according to Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.

Raulie Casteel was charged with felony terrorism, assault with intent to murder and felony firearm in Livingston County's 53rd District Court on Friday. The first two charges are punishable by up to life in prison, while the firearm charges range from punishments of 2 to 5 years in prison.

"These were acts of domestic terrorism against Michigan citizens and we are prosecuting them as such," Schuette said in a press release.  "I look forward to working with task force members and my colleagues from Ingham, Livingston, and Shiawassee counties to resolve this case and secure justice for the victims." 

The county-level charges previously filed in Livingston against Casteel were dismissed and replaced with charges filed Friday by the attorney general. The charges pertain only to acts that occurred in Livingston County, however, the attorney general intends to enter evidence of "similar acts" from other counties.

Schuette's Criminal Division reviewed evidence collected by the multi-jurisdictional task force formed to investigate the case, and worked with the prosecutors from Livingston, Ingham and Shiawassee counties. Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper continues to handle the 60 counts filed in that county.

Casteel was taken into custody on Nov. 5 by Michigan State Police troopers. The case filed Friday will move forward following the results of the Livingston competency exam ordered on Nov. 14.