Six people, including the suspected gunman, have been found dead after a series of shootings in rural Michigan. Another person is in a critical condition following the shooting spree. The bodies were discovered by police after a major search around two homes and a wooded area in the north of the state.
Police response and discovery
Michigan State Police said officers responded to reports of a shooting at a home in Missaukee County, about 170 miles northwest of Detroit, just before noon local time on Friday. Cops found three people dead at the property, as well as the individual fighting for their life who was rushed to hospital.
Police named the suspect as 39-year-old Chad Hickman and said he had fled the scene before officers arrived. As officers conducted a large-scale search for him, they found a fourth person dead at another home.
Search and suspect found
In a post on X, police warned Hickman was armed and dangerous and told community members not to approach him. His vehicle was later found in a wooded area near a lake which led authorities to his body and that of another person.
“This situation is heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved,” Lieutenant Ashley Miller said in a statement. People were asked to avoid the areas where the deadly shooting spree took place as the investigation continued.
Investigation and community reaction
Police have not revealed the details of the victims at this stage. According to The Sun, Hickman’s ex-wife Katie Frye confirmed on social media that she and her children are safe. Local reports, citing records, say she filed for divorce from Hickman in 2023 which was finalised last year.
Investigators have not publicly commented on a possible motive for the rampage. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was briefed on the shooting and monitoring the situation. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the Missaukee community,” she said.
