Michigan State Police are investigating a mass shooting in Missaukee County that left six people dead, including the suspected gunman. Authorities identified the suspect as 39-year-old Chad Hickman of Lake City.
The incident began Friday morning when troopers arrived at a residence on South LaChance Road in Lake Township following reports of gunfire. Officers discovered three victims at the scene and one individual in critical condition who was transported for emergency medical care. Following this, the investigation moved across multiple locations in the rural county.
Police located a fourth victim at a second residential property. The search for the suspect led units to a wooded area near Whitlock Lake in Caldwell Township. Aviation and canine teams tracked the suspect to that location where they discovered Hickman deceased alongside a fifth victim found in the woods.
Court records indicate Hickman had a criminal history involving a 2024 misdemeanor conviction for fourth-degree child abuse. His recent divorce proceedings in 2025 also noted mutual allegations of domestic violence. State police closed several roads in the vicinity, including stretches of LaChance Road, to process the scene.
This marks the second mass killing event in Michigan within a three-week span. Authorities continue to gather evidence at the various sites throughout the county. Local officials have asked for patience as investigators work to provide clarity on the timeline and motive of the events.