Six people were killed and a seventh was wounded across three scenes in rural Michigan, and police say the suspect is among the dead.
Story Snapshot
- Michigan State Police reported six dead and one wounded in Missaukee County.
- Troopers responded around 11:40 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.
- Authorities identified the suspect as 39-year-old Chad Hickman.
- Police said there was no ongoing threat as they processed three scenes.
A quiet Friday shattered across three crime scenes
Michigan State Police said the first 911 call came at about 11:40 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. Troopers went to a home on South LaChance Road in Lake Township. They found three people dead and a fourth person critically wounded. Investigators then located another dead person at a second home in Missaukee County.
Hours later, search teams found the suspect, Chad Hickman, and another deceased individual near Whitlock Lake in Caldwell Township, bringing the total dead to six.
Police identified Hickman as a 39-year-old from the area and described an intense search before locating him near the lake. Officers moved fast to lock down the area, using patrol cars, drones, and a perimeter to protect nearby homes.
Michigan State Police said there was no threat to the public once the scenes were secured and the suspect was found dead. Detectives worked into the night, collecting shell casings, mapping the scenes, and interviewing neighbors who heard shots or saw cars speed away.
A 13-year-old survivor’s call for help
A 13-year-old girl, identified in local coverage as Bella Everett, called 911 after being shot. She survived the initial attack and was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to early reports. That emergency call triggered the first wave of response and guided troopers to the Lake Township home.
Dispatch logs and radio traffic often shape the first hour of any case, and here, that call set the tempo. It likely saved time, and maybe lives, by pointing police to the right door fast.
Teen boy among 6 dead including suspect in Michigan shootings; girl survived @WashTimes https://t.co/21bKfCyRp0
— Washington Times Local (@WashTimesLocal) August 15, 2026
Authorities have not released full details about victim identities. Next-of-kin notifications and the forensic process take time in a rural county. Michigan State Police said investigators were working to learn how the victims and Hickman were connected and what motivated the violence.
That work will rely on standard steps: autopsy results, ballistics matches, phone records, and any history of disputes or protection orders tied to the addresses involved. The medical examiner’s findings will confirm cause and manner of death for each person.
How the search narrowed and why it mattered
Troopers expanded from the first scene to a second home once evidence and tips pointed beyond a single address. The shift from one address to multiple scenes forced a broader response footprint. Supervisors then staged resources to block roads and check cabins and trails.
The wooded spot near Whitlock Lake became a focus area, where officers later found Hickman and another deceased person. That final discovery ended the search and let police tell the public the threat had passed.
🚨Brave young lady🚨
13 year old girl survives being shot 4 times in a Michigan shooting, then helps ID the gunman.
Brave girl managed to call 911 and describe the shooter and his vehicle, helping to identify the man who killed members of her family in a rural Missaukee County… pic.twitter.com/uoQqGz1l9U
— Gina Beana Fofina (@Ginasassyass) August 17, 2026
Local and national outlets reported similar timelines and details. The core facts are stable across those reports: the start time, the first scene count, the later discoveries, and Hickman’s identity.
Reuters and network wires matched local stations on the sequence, which often happens in rural cases when state police lead communications.
What comes next for a shaken county
Missaukee County will move from shock to process. Michigan State Police will finish scene work and submit evidence to state labs. The medical examiner will issue autopsy and toxicology reports. Detectives will build a timeline from phone pings, vehicle movements, and witness notes.
Community leaders will focus on the survivor’s recovery and on support for families. Clear facts delivered calmly help restore trust after chaos. That is the public-safety standard people in small towns deserve.
Sources:
theguardian.com, upnorthlive.com, detroitnews.com, facebook.com
