Police say a mass shooting in Missaukee County, Michigan, on Aug. 14 left five people dead and critically injured a 13-year-old girl who managed to call 911 after being shot. Three victims were found at a home on South LaChance Road; additional victims were located at a second residence and near Whitlock Lake. Suspected shooter Chad Hickman, 39, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. Authorities say a motive remains under investigation and are asking the public for tips.
13-Year-Old Calls 911 After Being Shot in Michigan Mass Shooting; Suspect Found Dead
Michigan State Police vehicleCredit: Michigan State Police/Facebook
Police in Missaukee County, Michigan, have released new details about a mass shooting that left five people dead and a 13-year-old girl critically injured on Friday, Aug. 14.
Troopers responded at approximately 11:40 a.m. to reports of gunfire at a residence on South LaChance Road in Lake Township. At that location, officers found three people dead — a 45-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy — and a 13-year-old girl who had been shot. The girl managed to call 911 after she was wounded and was transported to a local hospital, where officials say she is now in stable condition.
As the investigation continued, investigators located a 53-year-old man at a second residence elsewhere in the county. Search teams later discovered a 29-year-old woman and the suspected shooter, identified by authorities as 39-year-old Chad Hickman, in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake in Caldwell Township. Officials say Hickman was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Chad HickmanCredit: Missaukee County Sheriff's Office
Response and investigation: Police said Hickman had already left the South LaChance Road residence by the time troopers arrived. The Michigan State Police (MSP) mounted a large-scale search with support from the MSP Emergency Support Team as well as aviation and canine units, which led to the discovery of the additional victims and the suspected shooter. Authorities have not released a motive and say it remains under investigation. It is unclear whether Hickman knew the victims or how they were connected.
What officials are asking from the public
Investigators continue to seek tips or information from anyone who may have seen suspicious activity or who may have details about the timeline. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Missaukee County Sheriff's Office or the Michigan State Police.
Support and resources
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit childhelp.org. For help with domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential; hotlines are available 24/7 in multiple languages.
Photo credit: Missaukee County Sheriff's Office
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