Six Dead in Michigan Shooting Spree; Teenage Girl Among Survivors

A 39-year-old gunman opened fire across multiple locations in Michigan on Friday, killing five people before taking his own life in a wooded area, authorities said. The shooting spree claimed the lives of a teenage boy, four adults, and left a teenage girl in stable condition following the attacks in Missaukee County, roughly 170 miles northwest of Detroit.

Police responded Friday morning to reports of gunfire at a residence, discovering the bodies of a 16-year-old boy, a 45-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman, and a 13-year-old girl suffering critical injuries. After the gunman, identified as Chad Hickman, fled the initial scene, a manhunt ensued across the county.

Authorities located a 53-year-old man dead at a second residence during their search. Hickman’s body was subsequently found in woods alongside a 29-year-old woman, both fatalities resulting from gunshot wounds, according to Michigan State Police.

Hickman had been convicted in 2024 of misdemeanor fourth-degree child abuse and sentenced to one year in jail, court records show. Felony assault and criminal sexual conduct charges were dismissed in the same case.

Lt. Ashley Miller called the incident “heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved.” Police declined to clarify whether the victims were related to each other or the suspect, with the investigation ongoing.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement Friday expressing concern for the victims and their families. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the Missaukee community,” the governor said.