A 39-year-old Michigan man identified as Chad Hickman was found dead Friday after a manhunt that followed a shooting rampage in which six people were killed, including a 16-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl who survived gunshot wounds, authorities said.
Police responded to reports of a shooting at a home in Missaukee County, approximately 170 miles northwest of Detroit, around 11:40 a.m. Friday. Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of a 16-year-old boy, a 45-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman, and the 13-year-old girl in critical condition. All four had suffered gunshot wounds, Michigan State Police said. The girl was later transported to a hospital and was in stable condition by Saturday.
Hickman, who fled the scene, was the subject of a large-scale search as authorities warned the community he was armed and dangerous. Police located a fifth victim, a 53-year-old man, at a second residence. Hickman’s body was later found in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake, alongside a 29-year-old woman who was also deceased. An autopsy is pending to determine the exact circumstances of their deaths, including whether Hickman was killed by law enforcement or died by suicide, police said.
Investigation Ongoing
Lt. Ashley Miller of the Michigan State Police confirmed that all victims died from gunshot wounds and that the investigation remains active. Authorities have not released the names of the victims or Hickman’s relationship to them, pending family notifications. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she was monitoring the situation and offered condolences to the victims’ families and the Missaukee County community.
The 13-year-old survivor called 911 after being shot four times, according to state police and her family. A relative identified two of the deceased as Amanda Everitt, 40, and her 16-year-old son Eric via a Facebook post. The wounded girl was described as a hero for making the emergency call while injured.
Criminal History of the Suspect
Court records indicate Hickman had a 2024 conviction for misdemeanor fourth-degree child abuse, for which he served a one-year jail sentence. Felony charges of assault with intent to cause great bodily harm and criminal sexual conduct were dismissed in the same case. Additional records cited by local media suggest Hickman had a history of domestic disputes, including allegations of abuse during a divorce. Authorities have not confirmed a motive for the shootings.
A neighbor, Tim Penrose, told reporters he had experienced ongoing harassment from Hickman, though he did not provide further details. Police have not disclosed whether Hickman acted alone or if there are additional suspects.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
Missaukee County, a rural area, has seen heightened police presence as investigators process multiple crime scenes. Authorities urged residents to avoid the affected areas while the investigation continued. Lt. Miller stated that the situation was heartbreaking for the community and challenging for investigators, emphasizing the need for thorough forensic analysis.
As of Saturday, officials had not released a timeline for when additional updates would be provided. The case remains under active investigation by state and local authorities.