Six people, including the suspected gunman, are dead after a multi-location shooting in northern Michigan, jolting a quiet rural county and leaving families grieving.
Story Highlights
- Michigan State Police say six are dead, including the suspect, after multiple crime scenes.
- Troopers found three dead at the first site after a 911 call around 11:40 a.m. Friday.
- Police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Chad Hickman and later found him deceased.
- Officials said there was no ongoing threat once the suspect was located.
Police Confirm Death Toll And Identify Suspect
Michigan State Police said six people are dead, including the suspected gunman, after a series of killings in Missaukee County on Friday. Troopers publicly identified the suspect as 39-year-old Chad Hickman. Investigators described several crime scenes tied to the case in rural northern Michigan. The department said it is working to map the full sequence and collect evidence. Officials stressed they will release more details as facts are confirmed and next of kin are notified.
State police said the first 911 call came in at about 11:40 a.m. Friday. Responding troopers found three people dead at the initial location. Another person at that site was critically hurt and taken to a hospital for treatment. Reporters on scene described a heavy police presence and road closures as detectives secured the area. The agency said its first priority was to stabilize the situation and protect nearby residents while rescue crews worked.
Multi-Location Search Ends With Suspect Found Dead
Authorities said Hickman fled after the first discovery, and officers launched a manhunt across several rural locations. Investigators tracked a vehicle linked to the suspect to a wooded area. Police later said the suspect was found deceased. Media coverage described multiple scenes, including two homes and a remote site off rural roads in Missaukee County, as officers worked to clear each area and recover evidence tied to the shootings.
After locating the suspect, Michigan State Police told residents there was no further threat to the public. Troopers maintained patrols and continued to answer calls while crime scene teams processed the locations. Detectives collected shell casings, photographed the scenes, and started timelines based on calls, radio traffic, and officer body camera records. Officials said motive was not yet established and the full chain of events was still under review.
What We Know, What Comes Next
Officials have not released the names of the victims. The department said it is still piecing together how the shootings unfolded and why. That work includes interviews with neighbors and any surviving victims, a review of dispatch logs, and coordination with the county medical examiner. Early counts in news alerts varied, which is common in active investigations. By Friday evening, police and several outlets aligned on six dead, including the suspect, as the confirmed total.
MISSAUKEE COUNTY, MICH. (AP) — Five people were killed and a suspect is dead Friday after a series of killings that took place at two homes and a wooded area in Michigan, according to law enforcement. Michigan State Police were… https://t.co/ud8iXAP0mf
— The Reading Eagle (@ReadingEagle) August 15, 2026
Families in this small community now face deep loss. Law enforcement must answer hard questions while guarding the case. Clear facts, released in order, help stop rumor and calm fears. That is why agencies share what they can as they confirm it. The bottom line today is simple and tragic: six lives are gone, and the danger has passed. The work ahead is to honor the victims, support the wounded, and learn every lesson that can prevent the next attack.
Sources:
independent.co.uk, theguardian.com, washingtonpost.com, detroitnews.com
