Harlan James Drake has been arraigned for the September 11, 2009 shooting deaths
of anti-abortion activist Jim Pouillon, 63, and Michael Fuoss, 61. Pouillon
was a well-known local activist and member of Operation Save America. It was
apparently the first time an activist had ever been murdered while protesting
abortion.
At 7:20 AM, a gunman in a passing vehicle shot Pouillon he protested across the
street from Owosso High School in Owosso, Michigan. Witnesses recorded the
license plate number, and an hour later police arrested Drake. Drake indicated
he had also shot Fuoss at the gravel business he owned.
Authorities said Fuoss was not connected to the anti-abortion movement. A Center
for Reproductive Rights spokesperson said the shooting did not seem to be tied
to the abortion debate due to the murder of Fuoss.
Police said Drake was offended by anti-abortion material that Pouillon had
displayed across from the school for the previous week.
Harlan J Drake was charged with 2
counts of murder. Drake has additional charges of carrying a firearm with
unlawful intent, and felony firearm. Drake had plans to kill a realtor living in
Owosso but he was arrested before he had time to commit this murder. Police said
Drake’s motive was the grudges he bore against the men.
Jim Pouillon, an anti-abortion activist, was fatally shot. Jim Pouillon, 63, was
standing with a sign outside a high school when a gunman killed him. Pouillon
was shot by a gunman in a car. Pouillon often stood outside the school holding
signs with graphics of aborted fetuses.
The gunman suspect was arrested and he confessed to a second shooting death.
Mike Fuoss, 61, was killed in his office. Mike Fuoss was inside the office of
his gravel production company. The gunman and Fuoss were acquainted with each
other. The gunman is from Owosso and is 33 years old.
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