A mass shooting spree in rural northern Michigan ended Friday after six people were killed, including the suspected gunman, Chad Hickman, 39, authorities said. A 13-year-old girl, critically wounded in the initial attack, survived by calling 911 to report the shooting and identify the suspect before being hospitalized in stable condition.
Police discovered the bodies of five victims across three locations in Missaukee County, all killed by gunshot wounds. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities declining to release names or confirm relationships between the victims and the suspect as of Saturday.
Immediate Response & Core Facts
At approximately 11:40 a.m. on Friday, officers responded to a report of a shooting at a home in Lake Township, where they found 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. The suspect, Chad Hickman, fled the scene before police arrived, triggering a large-scale manhunt.
Authorities later located Hickman’s body in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake, alongside the body of a 29-year-old woman. A 53-year-old man was found dead at a second home in Missaukee County. All victims died from gunshot wounds, according to Michigan State Police.
The 13-year-old survivor was able to call 911 and identify Hickman as the shooter before collapsing, her family said. A relative, David Everitt, identified two of the deceased as his daughter, Amanda Everitt, 40, and his grandson, Eric Everitt, 16, in a Facebook post. Everitt described the girl as a hero for making the call despite being shot four times.
Deeper Dive & Context
Timeline of Events
Michigan State Police provided a preliminary timeline of the shootings:
- 11:40 a.m. Friday: Police responded to the first home in Lake Township.
- Afternoon: Hickman was located and found dead near Whitlock Lake, alongside the 29-year-old woman.
- Second Location: A 53-year-old man was found dead at a separate residence.
Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the shootings, and the names of the victims and suspect remain under review pending further identification.
Background on the Suspect
Hickman had a prior criminal record, including a 2024 conviction for misdemeanor fourth-degree child abuse, for which he served a one-year jail sentence. Felony charges of assault and criminal sexual conduct in the same case were dismissed. Authorities have not indicated whether this history is connected to the shootings.
Community Impact
Residents in the rural area described the incident as deeply unsettling. Mike Davidson, who lives near the first crime scene, said the shootings had left locals "scared" and talking about little else. Tim Penrose, a neighbor of the 53-year-old victim, reported that Hickman had frequently harassed him and his wife, though he did not provide further details.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was monitoring the situation, offering condolences to the victims’ families and acknowledging the challenges faced by investigators.
Ongoing Investigation
State police spokesperson Lt. Ashley Miller confirmed that the investigation is active, with detectives piecing together events from multiple crime scenes. Autopsy results are pending to determine the exact circumstances of Hickman’s death, including whether he took his own life.
Authorities have not released additional details about the victims’ identities or their relationships to Hickman, pending notification of next of kin.