BATTLE CREEK (WKZO-AM/FM) — The person of interest who was being sought for questioning in Calhoun County’s first murder of the year has been taken into custody in Illinois and is being questioned by detectives.
Battle Creek police say Brian Zanetti was arrested on unrelated charges, but are saying little else about his current status. He is a relative of Frank Zanetti, the 63-year-old victim of Friday morning’s Urbandale shooting.
Investigators believe that the killer wanted Frank Zanetti dead. They aren’t sure why, but they said the male walked into Zanetti’s business, Battle Creek Tile and Mosaic, at 10:30 a.m. Friday asked to see the victim. He walked over and shot him in the head at point-blank range, police said.
Several stunned witnesses saw the killing. The gunman, who was wearing a bandana over his face, then walked out of the Urbandale business, back out onto Michigan Avenue.
Zanetti died instantly.
People who knew the 63-year-old victim said he was a kind and charitable man and they can’t imagine why anyone would want him dead.
Police say they believe the shooting was an isolated incident and they don’t think anyone else is in danger, but the man is also armed and should not be confronted.
Anyone who has information about the suspect and his whereabouts should call 911.
