Six people, including the suspect, were found dead on Friday in Michigan, United States, according to state police. Another person is in critical condition at a local hospital.
The suspect, Chad Hickman, fled the scene before the law enforcement could get a hold of him, prompting a large-scale search for him. The Michigan State Police had issued a statement on social media warning the public that the suspect is dangerous.
Upon receiving a report of a shooting at a home in Missaukee County in the northwest of Detroit, the law enforcement found three people dead and another seriously injured.
A search was conducted in the area, focusing on two homes and woodland. They found a fourth person dead at another home.
They later found Hickman’s vehicle parked in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake, where they found him dead along with another individual who was also dead.
“If you see him or know his whereabouts, CALL 911!” the post said.
However, the law enforcement has not clarified whether each person died because of the shooting. It is also unclear if the victims were related to one another.
Who was Chad Hickman?
According to Detroit News, 39-year-old Hickman was convicted in 2024 of 4th-degree child abuse and of encouraging children in harmful behaviour. It was in connection with a 2010 criminal case, and he was sentenced to 365 days in jail.
The court had also dismissed charges of assault with intent to cause bodily harm and first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
These criminal charges were based on a complaint by Hickman’s ex-wife, Katie, who had started divorce proceedings in September 2025.
In the opinions written by Judge Melissa Ransom for their divorce trials, she mentions how the marriage was toxic, and testimony from friends described instances of domestic violence attributed to both parties.
Katie also told the court that she lacked access to financial resources and was compelled to make decisions under threats of harm, including sexual assault, physical violence and financial control.
However, the judge determined that both parties made inconsistent claims and determined personal property for each.
Hickman, on October 11, posted on Facebook claiming that everything Katie said about him “was a lie” and that leaving her was the best thing he ever did.
His Facebook page also contains a post where he claims that Katie broke into his apartment and stole everything.
