This weekend’s bizarre shooting in Kalamazoo, Mich., which left six people dead, had many bass fans wondering about the safety of four-time Classic champ Kevin VanDam and his extended family.
Kalamazoo is home for VanDam, and his nephew, fellow Elite angler Jonathon VanDam. “The Bassmasters” television show host, Mark Zona, and Bassmaster Magazine Senior Writer Louie Stout also live nearby.
The good news is all are safe, though it is also fair to say they’re shaken.
“It was a shock to me,” said KVD, who was spending Saturday evening with friends at a local winterfest that included ice fishing. “We weren’t paying attention until people started texting me, then we turned on the news. It comes as a surprise to me that something like this could happen in my hometown. It’s senseless.”
According to police, Jason Dalton, 45, moonlighting as an Uber driver, randomly shot victims at three Kalamazoo area locations between fares on Saturday night. The shooting spree included killing a father and son sitting in their cars at a Kia car dealership, and killing four people at a Cracker Barrel parking lot.
“I’m very familiar with all those locations,” said VanDam. “I’ve eaten at that Cracker Barrel and driven by the car dealership many times. I was just downtown, and there must have been 15 satellite trucks at the courthouse. You don’t want your hometown to be known for this kind of thing.
“It really hit home for me. I believe the boy who was killed was 17 and a senior in a neighboring school district. My boys are seniors, too.
“It’s a reminder that we always have to be watching out. Everyone needs to be vigilant.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”