The Missaukee County shooting in rural Michigan left six people dead, including the suspected gunman, after police responded to a series of scenes on Friday. Michigan State Police said they were investigating the shootings and were searching for Chad Hickman, 39, before later announcing that he had been located.
Authorities initially said Hickman should be considered armed and dangerous. According to local reporting, officers began their investigation Friday morning after three people were found dead and another person was wounded at a home near LaChance Road and Kelly Road in Richland Township. Police later reported that a fourth person was found dead in another home and that a fifth person was discovered dead in a wooded area. Hickman was later found dead, UpNorthLive reported.
Lt. Ashley Miller, a Michigan State Police public information officer, said the case has taken a heavy toll on investigators and on the people who live in the area. She told the outlet that the deaths are difficult for troopers and investigators, and said the loss is also painful for the community. Miller added that police would carry out a thorough investigation and keep residents updated as more was learned.
The Missaukee County shooting unfolded in a rural part of Michigan, where violent crime on this scale can shake small communities for a long time. Multi-scene incidents demand careful work from law enforcement because officers must secure several locations, account for victims, and determine how the events are connected. In this case, police have not yet described what led to the shootings.
