MISSAUKEE COUNTY, Mich. — Six people are dead, including the man identified by authorities as the suspected shooter, after a Friday shooting that unfolded at two homes and a wooded area in Missaukee County, Michigan State Police said.
Scene and response
Troopers were called to a residence on LaChance Road just before noon after reports of a shooting, according to a release from Michigan State Police. At that home, officers found three people dead and another person with serious injuries. A fourth deceased person was located at a separate residence nearby.
Search efforts later led investigators to a wooded area near Whitlock Lake in Caldwell Township, where they found the suspected shooter, identified in a notice posted by authorities as 39-year-old Chad Hickman of the Lake City area, along with a fifth victim. Both were found dead, the state police said.
Victims and condition of survivors
State police and local media reports provide the following information about those affected:
- Victims found at first home: a 45-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy were found fatally shot.
- Caller and survivor: a 13-year-old girl who called 911 from the scene was located with serious injuries and is in stable condition.
- Additional fatality: a 53-year-old man was discovered dead in another home.
- Shooter and fifth deceased: the suspect, Chad Hickman, and a 29-year-old woman were found deceased in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake.
| Location | Age / status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LaChance Road residence | 45-year-old man; 40-year-old woman; 16-year-old boy (all deceased) | Initial scene where troopers found multiple victims |
| Separate nearby home | 53-year-old man (deceased) | Located after initial response |
| Wooded area near Whitlock Lake | Chad Hickman, 39 (suspect, deceased); 29-year-old woman (deceased) | Discovered during search for suspect |
| Caller | 13-year-old girl (seriously injured, stable) | Placed the 911 call for help |
Investigation and statements
Michigan State Police said their investigators are working to determine what led to the shootings and whether the victims knew the suspect. Officials have not released a motive.
“This situation is heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved,” MSP Lt. Ashley Miller said in a statement. “We remain committed to conducting a thorough investigation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.”
State police emphasized that their work continues and that they are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Beyond the identities and ages disclosed, officials have not provided additional details about relationships among the victims or between the victims and the suspect.
Local impact and next steps
The killings have reverberated across this rural county and nearby communities, raising questions about safety and prompting an influx of investigative resources. Law enforcement agencies typically continue processing scenes for hours or days after such events, and state police said they will release further information when it can be confirmed.
Residents who may have information relevant to the case are asked to contact Michigan State Police. Authorities have not indicated any outstanding threat to the public.
As investigators proceed, state and local officials will face calls for clarity about motive, how the suspect obtained any weaponry used and whether there were warning signs that could inform future prevention. At this stage, however, the facts publicly confirmed by investigators are limited to the identities and locations reported by state police.
The Missaukee County community, already coping with the immediate shock and loss, will likely await further public briefings and the release of additional investigative findings in the days to come.
