At least ten people, including a minor, were injured during a shooting at an aquatic recreational area in Rochester Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, this past Saturday. The attacker, who fired 28 shots during the incident, was located and confirmed dead approximately five hours later, with authorities suspecting a self-inflicted gunshot wound as the cause of death.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard reported that they had initially counted nine victims, possibly ten, with various types of gunshot wounds. According to Sheriff Bouchard, 'It appears that the individual stopped, exited the vehicle, approached the water area, opened fire, reloaded, opened fire again, reloaded and drove away.' A pistol and three empty magazines were recovered at the scene, substantiating the sheriffs account of the suspect reloading multiple times.
In a further update, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett elaborated that among the injured were several children, all of whom were immediately transferred to local hospitals for treatment. Mayor Barnett confirmed via Facebook that 'the suspect is dead,' indicating a self-inflicted gunshot wound as the probable cause, and cautioned the community to wait for more details as the investigation progresses.
Witnesses corroborated the timeline provided by law enforcement, noting that the attack seemed random and adding that the shooter got out of a vehicle before opening fire. Residents were advised to avoid leaving their homes for safety, although the immediate threat was later declared over once the suspect was reported deceased.
This recent tragedy adds to the area's painful history of violent events, with Sheriff Bouchard expressing that the shooting was 'a punch in the gut' for the community. He referenced the unresolved grief from a 2021 incident in nearby Oxford, where four high school students were killed in a similar tragic event. Multiple authorities, including those from the White House and Michigan's Governor's Office, have contacted Mayor Barnett, expressing their condolences and promising support.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office and Rochester Hills substation are leading the ongoing investigation. Police continue to request that the public avoid the incident area while they work to gather all relevant evidence and fully understand the events leading up to the shooting.
- Sheriff Mike Bouchard's statement on social media included a plea for the public to stay calm and avoid the vicinity of the crime scene to ensure the safety and efficiency of the law enforcement officers working on-site. He emphasized that such incidents deeply affect the community and stressed the importance of coming together during such times.
- Stephen Huber, a spokesperson for the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, mentioned that they have yet to confirm the exact number of victims and the complete details of their injuries. 'We don't know much yet,' he said, urging the public to be patient as more information becomes available.
- Further information regarding the identities of both victims and the suspect remains undisclosed at this time as authorities strive to ensure the accuracy and sensitivity of their communications. The victims continue to receive medical care and the community is being encouraged to remain vigilant while the investigation is underway.
