6 Dead Including Suspect in Michigan Shooting Spree
Six people, including the suspected gunman Chad Hickman, are dead following a series of shootings that spanned multiple locations in Missaukee County, Michigan, on Friday. Authorities confirmed Hickman was found deceased in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake in Caldwell Township after a large-scale police search.
The Sequence of Violence in Missaukee County
Michigan State Police responded to reports of a shooting at a residence approximately 170 miles northwest of Detroit on Friday morning. Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of a 45-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman, and a 16-year-old boy. A 13-year-old girl was also found at the scene and remains in stable condition, according to state police reports.
The investigation quickly expanded as law enforcement tracked the suspect, 39-year-old Chad Hickman. Police later located the body of a 53-year-old man at a second residential location. The final discovery occurred in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake, where Hickman was found dead alongside a 29-year-old woman. All victims succumbed to gunshot wounds.
Background of the Suspect and Ongoing Investigation
Court records indicate that Hickman had a prior criminal history. In 2024, he was convicted of misdemeanor fourth-degree child abuse and sentenced to one year in jail. During those proceedings, additional felony assault and criminal sexual conduct charges were dismissed by the court.
Lt. Ashley Miller of the Michigan State Police characterized the situation as both “heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved.” While the physical search for the suspect has concluded with his death, the motive behind the shootings remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed the nature of the relationships between the victims or their connection to the gunman.
State and Community Response
Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement on Friday acknowledging the gravity of the events, noting that she was monitoring the situation closely and offering condolences to the families and the broader Missaukee community. The investigation is being conducted in accordance with standard protocols for major crimes, involving multiple agencies to piece together the timeline of the suspect’s movements.
The incident remains an active investigation. As authorities continue to process the scenes in Caldwell Township and surrounding areas, the focus shifts toward providing resources for the surviving teenage victim and the families of the deceased.