RADE Tactics News

From www.woodtv.com 

By Dee Morrison, Tony Tagliavia and 24 Hour News 8 staff

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) -- A man who police say fatally shot a woman at a Holland apartment matches the description of a man who killed himself a few hours later in Grand Rapids.

Robert Dewayne Echols, 29, allegedly shot 23-year-old Danika Flournoy in Building G at the Bay Pointe apartment complex at 791 E. 16th Street in Holland around 2:30 p.m. She died due to gunshots to the head. Police say the two knew each other, but are unsure of a motive.

Holland Heights Elementary School at 856 E. 12th Street was locked down as police set up a perimeter. Superintendent Brian Davis told 24 Hour News 8 every student was safe and accounted, and students were released a bit later than normal.

Holland police alerted Grand Rapids officers with a name, description and possible address for Echols in Grand Rapids. A vehicle matching the description of Echols' vehicle was found parked in front of his home in the 1000 block of Prospect Avenue SE. GRPD officers arrived and surrounded the house.

Other officers arrived in the area of 33rd Street and Eastern Avenue after hearing Echols knew somebody there. They spotted a man matching Echols' description running through a cemetery near Pastiche Drive SE around 4:30 p.m. Officers caught up with the man behind the nearby Millbrook Apartment complex. They approached him and that is when the man pulled out a handgun and shot himself. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy will be performed Tuesday and his identity will be confirmed after matching fingerprints because he wasn't carrying any identification.

Echols has a long criminal history, including drug and assault charges. He was released on parole in August 2007.

The Holland Police Department continues to investigate this case and requests anyone who may have information to call investigators at (616) 355-1100 or Silent Observer at (616) 392-4443.