Harlan Drake murders still on mind of Shiawassee County

Abortion protestor James Pouillon and businessman Mike Fuoss killed
SHIAWASSEE COUNTY Two men were murdered. The suspect was quickly arrested, charged and was convicted exactly six months later.

Those shootings occurred the morning of Sept. 11, 2009.

By 8:20 a.m., both men -- abortion protestor James Pouillon and businessman Mike Fuoss -- were dead. And there was a third intended victim. He was not harmed.

Family members of these are living their lives without their loved ones. They have been for one full year now.

"I was running our Grand River pit," said Jim Fuoss, Fuoss' brother.

Jim Fuoss says he made the roughly 7-mile drive in about two minutes.

"I don't even remember driving here that day," he said.

Now Jim Fuoss occupies the office his brother Mike used to at their family business -- the same space Mike was murdered in.

Harlan Drake admitted he walked in and just kept shooting. Drake had just driven from the Owosso High School where he shot and killed abortion protestor Pouillon.

At trial, Drake's attorney claimed he was mentally ill. Authorities say he was just offended. He didn't like Pouillon's graphic fetus pictures and he didn't like the way Fuoss had allegedly treated his mother.

Drake was convicted six months to the day of their murders. At sentencing, he apologized.

"I did it," he said. "I deserve to go to jail forever."

"It was the talk of the town -- still is," said Owosso Public Safety Director Mike Compeau.

Compeau says he takes comfort in the way authorities "flawlessly" handled the horrible situation.

Pouillon's daughter says she misses him very much every day. He had a passion for what he did because he loved children and loved the Lord.

Fuoss' brother has plans for a memorial for Mike in a garden. His pictures are up in the office.

Drake is serving a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.

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