Apparent death target leaves home

OWOSSO, Mich. – A real estate agent told he was the third target of a shooting spree that left an abortion protester and a business owner dead said Saturday he fled his home after the violence that claimed two lives in their small Michigan city.

The man charged with the killings, meanwhile, was taken from jail to a hospital to undergo surgery for a self-inflicted wound to his arm, according to a county prosecutor.

James Howe, of Owosso, said his family was upset after police told him he was an intended target of the Friday shooting spree. He hesitated when asked how he was handling the situation.

“How would you hold up if someone was told you were going to be killed?” said Howe, who spoke to the Associated Press by cell phone. He declined to say where he and his family were staying.

Howe also declined to discuss or say whether he knew Harlan James Drake, 33, who is accused of shooting to death anti-abortion activist James Pouillon and gravel pit owner Mike Fuoss. Authorities said that when he was arrested, Drake told police he also intended to kill Howe.