Trace Christenson

Battle Creek Enquirer

Editor's note: Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas said Thursday that the lawsuit reported on in this story was not filed by Jason Dalton.

KALAMAZOO – The man charged with killing six people and wounding two others in Kalamazoo last month is suing Uber.

Jason Dalton filed a handwritten lawsuit with the U.S. Federal District Court for the Eastern District in Detroit asking for $10 million from the ride-sharing company for ruining his life.

In his two-page complaint Dalton, 45, said he worked for years as a Uber contractor “and they ripped me off, never paid me back wages or overtime. I busted my butt for them. They gave me no Christmas bonus, I wasn’t invited to any corporate parties, they made me work when I was sick and they didn’t let me spend time with my children. Uber treats their drivers like crap.”

Dalton said he had to pay for his gas and repairs on his vehicle after hitting potholes and he was called late at night to work or officials said he would be fired.

“This company is a hostile workplace environment. I am tired of being treated by (sic) second class citizen by Uber. Uber discriminates against my mental health.”

Dalton also said in his complaint filed with the court that, “I am currently in prison because of Uber. My life is ruined because of Uber. My wife is divorcing me because of Uber. I am seeking $10 million in punitive damages and Emotional distress. I have psychological distress because of Uber.”

In a prepared statement the company said "It's hard to know how to respond to someone who refuses to take responsibility for his own actions. Our hearts go out to victims' families who have to live with the consequences of his terrible crimes."

Company officials have said Dalton was approved as a driver near the end of January and worked for less than a month.

In interviews with officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety after his arrest, Dalton said he was directed when and where he was to shoot people by a Uber app on his phone that showed a devil's face and also directed him to wear body armor.

Dalton dated the complaint on March 11 and court records show it was filed by letter with the court on Tuesday. It was assigned to Judge John O'Meara.

Dalton was arrested in Kalamazoo County on Feb. 20 after police said he shot and killed six people and wounded two others at three locations. Three of those killed and one severely wounded were from Battle Creek.

He is charged with six counts of open murder and two counts of assault with intent to murder along with eight counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He faces a mandatory life sentence in prison without parole if convicted.

His court-appointed attorney, Eusebio Solis of Battle Creek, said Wednesday he was not aware of Dalton’s lawsuit until he was contacted by reporters. Kalamazoo County Sheriff Paul Matyas also was not aware of the suit until contacted by the Enquirer but said Dalton, like all inmates, has mailing privileges.

Dalton is awaiting a mental evaluation before legal proceedings continue in Kalamazoo County. He is housed at the Kalamazoo County jail without bail.

Contact Trace Christenson at 966-0685 or tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson

You can view Dalton's complaint here:

Contact Trace Christenson at 269-966-0685 or tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson