Chad Hickman, 39, the shooter, was found dead after a wide search in Missaukee County, police said. Photo credit: The Michigan State Police
A teenage boy and four adults were killed on Friday (August 14, 2026) in shootings that prompted a wide search for the fleeing gunman, whose body was ultimately found in a wooded area alongside one of his victims, authorities said. A teenage girl survived and was in stable condition, police said.
Chad Hickman, 39, was found dead after a wide search in Missaukee County, police said. Police released the ages and genders of the victims on Saturday (August 15) but did not specify whether they were related to each other or the suspect.
Officers responded on Friday (August 14) morning to reports of a shooting at a home about 170 miles (270 kilometres) northwest of Detroit, where they found the bodies of a 16-year-old boy, a 45-year-old man and 40-year-old woman, and a 13-year-old girl in critical condition, Michigan State Police said.
Authorities say Hickman fled that scene, leading to a large-scale search. Police found the body of a 53-year-old man at a second home, and then a 29-year-old woman, dead alongside Hickman, in the woods. All the victims died of gunshot wounds, police said.
“This situation is heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved,” Lt. Ashley Miller said in a Friday statement. Miller said on Saturday (August 15) the investigation is ongoing.
Hickman was convicted in 2024 of misdemeanor fourth-degree child abuse, according to court records. He was sentenced to one year in jail. In the same case, the court dismissed felony assault and criminal sexual conduct charges.
Gov Gretchen Whitmer said on Friday (August 14) she was monitoring the situation. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the Missaukee community,” she said.
Published – August 16, 2026 10:20 am IST
