Rochester Hills, Michigan – Nine individuals sustained injuries on Saturday following a shooting incident at a splash pad in this suburban Detroit area. Authorities stated that the suspected gunman has died.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard reported that an 8-year-old boy was critically wounded in the head, with a 4-year-old boy also injured in the thigh but in stable condition. These two boys are related to a 39-year-old mother who was shot in the abdomen and is currently in critical condition. Other victims include a 39-year-old woman with wounds to the back and arm, a 30-year-old man with a right leg wound, a 78-year-old man with an abdomen wound, a 37-year-old woman with a hand wound, a 40-year-old man with a right knee wound, and a 30-year-old woman, all in stable condition.
Sheriff Bouchard expressed shock over the incident, mentioning that it was unthinkable to be addressing another active shooter situation. Initially reported as ten shooting victims with varying injuries, the count was adjusted to nine after a victim was double-counted by a hospital.
The suspected shooter, a 42-year-old male, is confirmed dead by the authorities, having taken his own life. Eight individuals, including two children, were injured in the shooting. The sheriff mentioned that the incident occurred around 5:11 p.m. at the water park and that the shooter had reloaded several times, firing multiple shots.
Authorities indicated that the shooting was believed to be random. They advised the public to avoid the area around the splash pad as it was still an active crime scene. The community expressed sorrow and disbelief over the tragic event, echoing sentiments of support for the affected families.
With ongoing investigations, details surrounding the incident remain unclear. The Rochester Hills Sub Station of Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is leading the probe into the shooting. Rochester Hills, located 27 miles north of downtown Detroit, now grapples with the aftermath of this senseless violence.