OWOSSO, Mich. -- A Mid-Michigan prosecutor said a man has been charged in the shooting deaths of an anti-abortion activist and a business owner and that he planned to kill a third man.

Shiawassee County Prosecutor Randy Colbry said Harlan James Drake, 33, is accused of shooting 63-year-old James Pouillon and 61-year-old Mike Fuoss Friday morning.

Pouillon was protesting outside a high school when he was gunned down in front of horrified students and parents.

“Our daughter had just left for school and I heard four shots and then a pause and one more shot,” said Ronda Rhine, an Owosso resident. “And she came back in the garage door and said ‘someone’s just been shot.’”

Police believe Drake did not want children and high school students to see the graphic images of aborted fetuses that Pouillon would show on placards while demonstrating.

Authorities said Drake then drove to a gravel pit company and killed Fuoss.

Shiawassee County Sheriff George Braidwood said an employee of the gravel pit found the owner in his office with multiple gunshot wounds.

Uncut: Owosso Police Department News Conference

The gravel pit is located near M-21, just a few miles away from the high school, according to police.

Colbry said Drake intended to kill a third man, but was arrested before Drake could do so. Deputies said they found three weapons in Drake’s vehicle.

Police did contact that man regarding the shootings. Authorities said the man is a realtor in Owosso.

Police said the victims did not know each other, but the shooter knew both of them.

So far, police said they have not found any connection between Pouillon and Fuoss or the third intended victim.

Authorities said Drake did not have a criminal background or a history of mental illness.

Drake is being held without bond in the Shiawassee County Jail and a preliminary examination has been set for Sept. 25.

Pouillon was known as "the sign guy" for his vigils in and around Owosso.

He carried anti-abortion placards during his protests and has been described as dedicated, even as some found his images distasteful.

High school junior Hannah White, 16, said Pouillon's signs of "chopped-up babies" were "disgusting."

White also said Pouillon would exchange greetings with students as he stood near the school but wouldn't shout slogans or try to engage them in conversation.

Freshman Kaylee Spencer said Pouillon also had protested outside an area elementary school.

Father David Fisher of Owosso's St. Joseph Catholic Church said Pouillon "always advocated his position in a nonviolent manner."

Pouillon been arrested in the past for protesting.

He was arrested in 1994 after protesting on the steps of Owosso's City Hall instead of his usual spot on the sidewalk.

Pouillon sued, claiming violations of his constitutional free speech, religion and assembly rights.

A 2000 federal appeals court ruling said Pouillon often was the target of verbal abuse along with "assorted missiles" while standing in front of City Hall.

The court said he once was almost run down by a motorist who swerved onto the sidewalk and drove at him.

A car dealership also sued Pouillon in the 1990s for picketing and shouting slogans at customers.

Stay tuned to TV5 and WNEM.com as more information becomes available.