Mich. police search for apparent serial killer

FLINT, Mich. -- Authorities looking into a string of murders involving black men in the Flint area first became sure of a pattern earlier this week which prompted them to suspect that a serial killer might be on the prowl.

Flint Police Lt. T.P. Johnson tells The Associated Press Friday that the pattern became more apparent Tuesday Ã¢â‚¬â€ť a day after the body of a 49-year-old man was found.

He was one of five men killed since May. Eight others have been wounded.

A Michigan State Police task force now is leading the investigation.

Survivors have described their assailant as a younger, muscular white man.

Johnson suspects the attacks might be racially motivated. He said the attacker seeks out smaller black men at night after asking for directions or help with car trouble.