Five people and a suspected gunman have died following a series of shootings across multiple locations in rural northern Michigan, with police launching a large-scale manhunt before finding the suspect dead in a wooded area. Michigan State Police identified the suspected gunman as 39-year-old Chad Hickman. Another person was critically injured in the shootings in Missaukee County, around 270 km northwest of Detroit.
Police were called to a home in Missaukee County shortly before noon following reports of a shooting. Troopers arriving at the scene found three people dead and another critically injured. The injured person was taken to a hospital for treatment. Hickman had left the scene before officers arrived, prompting authorities to launch a manhunt. Police warned residents that the suspect was considered armed and dangerous and urged people not to approach him.
During the search, investigators found a fourth victim dead at another residence. Police eventually tracked Hickman's vehicle to a wooded area. Officers searching the location subsequently discovered Hickman's body along with that of another victim. The discovery brought the number of victims killed to five, while the suspect's death took the overall toll to six. Authorities have not yet disclosed how Hickman died.
Police have not released the identities of the victims, pending notification of their families. The motive behind the shootings also remains unclear, with investigators examining multiple crime scenes and attempting to establish the sequence of events. Michigan State Police spokesperson Lt Ashley Miller described the incident as heartbreaking for the community and challenging for investigators. Police have asked members of the public to avoid areas connected with the investigation as officers continue processing the crime scenes.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was monitoring developments and expressed condolences to the victims, their families and the Missaukee community. State Representative Ken Borton also called on people to pray for the families affected by the violence and for the critically injured victim. The investigation remains underway, with authorities yet to establish what triggered the shootings or whether all the victims were known to the suspected gunman.