(Image source: CBS)

BY: JENNIFER MECKLES

New information about a mass killer’s past is emerging, in the aftermath of a horrific Michigan shooting.

The gunman shot and killed 7 people -- including two children Thursday night.
A high speed chase followed -- then a hostage situation -- ending when the killer turned the gun on himself.

CBS has the shocking start to the story of Roderick Dantzler’s killing spree in Grand Rapids:

“Dantzler is suspected of shooting 7 people to death earlier in the day in 2 separate locations. Three adults and a child were gunned down in one home. In the other -- 2 women, one of whom is believed to have been a former girlfriend of Dantzler, and her 10-year old daughter were fatally shot."

Police spotted Dantlzer driving a Lincoln towncar -- and unwilling to surrender to police.
A high-speed chase -- keeping the police and local media on the edge of their seats.

“We can’t confirm if this is the suspect, we cannot confirm this is precisely where this is happening -- but we can tell ya something IS happening, and its happening with a whole lot of activity--” (Video: WOOD TV)

“A wild chase with the suspect careening through downtown Grand Rapids at the height of the evening rush going the wrong way on the highway, firing the whole time at police in hot pursuit." (Video: WWMT)

The chased continued... right into neighborhood where Dantlzer crashed his car into a home, kicked in the back door and proceeded to hold the three people inside hostage. Next, a four-hour stand-off with police.

The hostages survived, but Grand Rapids Police Chief describes how Dantzler took action to avoid being taken into custody:

“Unfortunately, during our conversations with the suspect who had kind of gone back and forth between being agitated and threatening -- threatening to shoot the hostages, threatening to shoot himself... We heard a gunshot, and it turned out to be a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The suspect has been determined to be dead at the scene." (Video: NBC)

Now, Michigan media is learning Dantzler had previous run-ins with police. WZZM lists his extensive criminal history:

“He has two 1992 juvenile convictions for breaking and entering and unlawful use of a vehicle. He also has a 2000 conviction for assault with intent to commit bodily harm, and he was sentenced to 3-10 years in prison. Last year, he had a misdemeanor conviction of assault and served eight days in jail." 

Transcript by Newsy.