Wixom man, 43, denied bond in eight Oakland County shooting cases

The Wixom man arrested for the roadway shootings aimed at motorists across four Michigan counties is now facing 60 charges in Oakland County alone.

Raulie Wayne Casteel, 43, was arraigned before 52-1 District Court Judge Dennis Powers on Friday, Nov. 9. A preliminary exam is scheduled for today, Wednesday, Nov. 14. Casteel was charged with 52 counts ranging from assault with intent to commit murder, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm from or at a moving vehicle, in connection with several Wixom shooting incidents.

Of the 11 total incidents in Wixom, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges in eight of the shootings, as well as for one of the two reported shooting incidents in Commerce Township, according to Wixom Public Safety Director Clarence Goodlein, who has been leading the multi-jurisdictional task force overseeing the serial shooter investigation.

Goodlein noted that the court may consider an alternate charge once the trial commences.

“While on trial, the court or jury may determine that an an alternate charge of felonious assault may fit better than intent to commit murder,” Goodlein said.

He added that bond was set for some of the charges, but not for any assault with intent to commit murder charges.

“So essentially he has to sit in jail,” Goodlein said.

In Livingston County, Casteel will be facing similar charges of felonious assault and discharging a firearm from or at a moving vehicle, all related to a single shooting incident in that county. Bond was set $2 million cash surety (no 10 percent).

As of press time, no charges have been filed against Casteel in Ingham and Shiawassee counties. Goodlein said he believes Ingham County will be seeking additional charges at some point.

“In some of the cases there was not enough evidence to proceed — that was the case with some of the events in Wixom and elsewhere,” he said.

Most of the 24 known shootings occurred in Wixom, on Wixom Road, while others occurred along the I-96 and M-52 corridors in Livingston, Ingham, and Shiawassee counties. The incidents occurred between Oct. 16 and Oct. 27, when Casteel is alleged to have fired a handgun at moving cars from a vehicle.

Only one of the shootings resulted in an injury. A 46-year-old Kalamazoo man was shot in the left hip/buttocks on Oct. 27 while driving along I-96, and treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Casteel was apprehended at his family’s home in the 1500 block of Kings Crown Court in Wixom last week after law enforcement officials found his charcoal gray Chevrolet Malibu at the home. The reportedly vehicle matched the description of the suspect vehicle provided by witnesses victimized during the shooting spree.

Subsequently, a search warrant was executed and forensic evidence reportedly was found at the scene tying Casteel to several of the shootings, including the 9 mm, semi-automatic handgun allegedly used in the shooting spree.

“We recovered the gun at the home with a search warrant,” Goodlein said.

So far, Casteel has not cooperated with authorities, Goodlein said.

“He is not willing to make any statements or be cooperative with us in any shape or form, so there is no indication at this time for (a motive for) his actions,” Goodlein said.