At least eight people, including two children, sustained bullet injuries in an attack at a recreation area in Michigan on Saturday. The suspect behind the attack was later found dead at a nearby home, according to officials cited by CNN.
The incident occurred at Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard confirmed that the victims were transported to multiple hospitals with varying degrees of injuries. During a Saturday evening news conference, Bouchard mentioned that one of the victims was an eight-year-old child. The sheriff also noted that information about the incident was still preliminary and evolving.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her sorrow over the shooting, stating on social media, “I am heartbroken to learn about the shooting in Rochester Hills. We are monitoring the situation as updates continue to come in and are in touch with local officials.”
Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett also commented on the tragedy, saying, “This is a great community, and it’s heartbreaking to see this happen here.”
The first 911 call reporting the shooting was made around 5:11 pm. A Rochester Hills sergeant, utilizing new technology that livestreams 911 calls directly to first responders, arrived at the scene within two minutes. Authorities recovered a handgun and three empty magazines at the site. Sheriff Bouchard indicated that the suspect exited a vehicle and opened fire approximately 20 feet away, reloading multiple times and firing “potentially 28 times.” The motive behind the attack remains unknown.
The sheriff revealed that an individual believed to be the suspect was found dead at a nearby home. Authorities brought in additional resources, including SWAT teams and armored vehicles, to secure the area. Bouchard advised residents sheltering in nearby parks to go home and urged others to avoid the area.
The community is still grappling with the aftermath of a 2021 high school shooting in Oxford, just 15 miles north of Rochester Hills, where four students were killed. Reflecting on the recent attack, Sheriff Bouchard described it as a “gut punch,” adding, “We’re not even fully comprehending what happened at Oxford, and now we have another complete tragedy that we’re dealing with.”
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