Cops: Suspect drove kids to school with loaded guns in truck before Owosso shooting

Ed White / Associated Press

Owosso -- A man charged with killing an abortion protester and a business owner told police he had guns loaded in his truck when he took two nieces and a friend to school just before the shooting spree, according to documents unsealed Friday.

Harlan Drake prepared by loading guns into his Ford pickup on the eve of the Sept. 11 shootings in this small town, 70 miles northwest of Detroit, the documents say.

His statements to Owosso police are part of an affidavit written to justify a search of Drake's apartment and truck. It became available after being sealed for 56 days under Michigan law.

Drake is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Mike Fuoss, 61, and abortion foe James Pouillon, 63. He admitted killing both men, Det. Sgt. Kurt Moffit said in the affidavit.

The affidavit does not provide new information about a possible motive. Authorities have said Drake, 33, didn't like Pouillon's graphic signs and held a grudge against Fuoss.

His family denies any grudge and says Drake battled depression and had problems with medication.

On the day of the shootings, Drake told police that he drove two nieces to school in Corunna, a neighboring town, and next dropped off a niece's boyfriend at Owosso High School, Moffit said in the affidavit.

Pouillon, a well-known, aggressive abortion protester, was shot while holding a sign outside the school. Drake then drove to Fuoss' office and shot him "multiple times" with two guns, Moffit said.

Defense lawyer Robert Ashley had no comment on the affidavit. He said records about the shootings would be reviewed by a mental-health expert as he considers an insanity defense.

"I'm not in a position to say this fact supports a finding or this fact doesn't support a finding," Ashley said.