Rochester Hills, Michigan – A tragic shooting incident unfolded at a recreation area in Rochester Hills, Michigan, leaving at least nine individuals injured. The suspect, a 42-year-old man whose identity has not been disclosed, was discovered deceased at a nearby residence, shared Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
Authorities found the suspect at a nearby home as they traced the weapon used in the shooting to the address. The suspect had arrived at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad, exited a vehicle, and started firing from a distance of about 20 feet, reloading multiple times during the incident, Bouchard revealed. The suspect reportedly fired around 28 shots at the scene.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with officials deeming the incident as random. Among the victims were two children, an 8-year-old boy in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head, a 4-year-old in stable condition with a thigh wound, and their 39-year-old mother in critical condition with wounds to the abdomen and leg.
Additional victims, including three women and three men ranging from 30 to 78 years old, sustained gunshot wounds but were in stable condition. The community of Rochester Hills, located approximately 27 miles north of Detroit, was left shaken by the senseless violence.
Law enforcement swiftly responded to the 911 call reporting the incident, with a sergeant arriving at the scene within minutes, even before the call was dispatched. After locating a handgun and empty magazines at the scene, authorities were able to track down the suspect’s residence, where they later discovered the deceased suspect.
Efforts to establish communication with the suspect were unsuccessful, leading law enforcement to breach the home and deploy drones for further investigation. A drone discovered what appeared to be a firearm on the kitchen table as deputies surrounded the house.
The sheriff urged residents to avoid the area and advised those sheltering in parks to return home. The incident has deeply impacted the community, still grappling with the aftermath of a previous tragedy at a nearby high school in 2021. The heartbreaking events serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the residents of Rochester Hills.