On Saturday afternoon, a 42-year-old gunman reportedly fired almost 30 rounds at a splash pad park in Michigan, resulting in nine people being shot, including a pregnant woman and two children, as per authorities.
On Saturday evening, near the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills, which is approximately 25 miles north of Detroit, the suspect was discovered deceased following the shooting, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s office.
According to the Oakland County Sheriffโs Office, the individual responsible for the incident was Michael William Nash, who allegedly took his own life.
Police have reported that the victims of the shooting ranged in age from 4 to 78 years old.
During a news conference on Sunday, Oakland County Executive Director Dave Coulter disclosed that three victims, including an 8-year-old boy, had undergone surgery on Saturday night. The conditions of the three victims were not immediately disclosed.
All of the other victims are reported to be in stable condition.
Micayla and Eric Coughlin, a couple from Rochester Hills, have been hailed as heroes after they shielded their two young daughters, aged 2 years and 7 months, from a shooting that left them both with multiple gunshot wounds. The tragic incident occurred shortly after the family had gone out for ice cream and arrived at a splash pad. In response to this heartbreaking news, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched to support the Coughlin family during this difficult time. The official statement on the fundraising page details the harrowing events that unfolded and the incredible bravery of Micayla and Eric in protecting their children.
According to Sheriff Mike Bouchard of Oakland County, the shooting seems to be a random act based on initial information. The suspect reportedly got out of a vehicle, fired shots at the splash pad, reloaded, fired again, and then fled the scene.
According to the sheriff, the suspect reportedly fired a total of 28 rounds.
According to the sheriff, an 8-year-old boy was hit in the head and initially deemed to be in critical condition. In addition, a 4-year-old boy was hit in the thigh but was in stable condition. The mother of the two boys, aged 39, suffered injuries to her abdomen and legs and was also listed in critical condition.
According to officials, at 5:11 p.m. on Saturday, a sergeant who was monitoring a live 911 channel heard the first call. Within just two minutes, officers were on the scene, but unfortunately, the suspect had already fled, as reported by Bouchard.
The authorities have reported that they were able to retrieve a semi-automatic handgun and three magazines from the location. Furthermore, an AR-15-style rifle was discovered on a table at the suspect’s residence.
According to Bouchard, Nash, the alleged perpetrator, was residing with his mother and had no prior criminal record.
According to a statement by the Rochester Police Department, Nash was discovered at a residence in Shelby Township after the shooting incident. In an attempt to establish contact with Nash, members of a SWAT unit surrounded the premises. However, he was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In the wake of the tragic shooting that took place at a splash pad in Rochester Hills, which claimed the lives of nine individuals, including two young boys, the senseless violence that plagues our society has once again come to the forefront. County Executive Coulter expressed his disappointment at the situation, stating that this was his second experience with a mass shooting during his five years in office. The prior incident he referred to was the devastating shooting at Oxford High School in 2021, where four students lost their lives. The increasing frequency of such tragedies is deeply concerning and disheartening.
Oakland County is collaborating with Oakland County Health Network to provide counseling services to individuals impacted by the shooting that occurred on Saturday, as per Coulter.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her deep sorrow upon hearing about the shooting in Rochester Hills. She assured that her team is closely monitoring the situation and keeping in touch with local officials as updates unfold.
During the news conference held on Sunday, Rochester Hills Mayor Brian Barnett expressed his distress, stating that the previous 24 hours have been a complete nightmare.
With tears in his eyes, Barnett, who has been serving as the mayor of the city for 18 years, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the community. He could not believe that his city was now being mentioned alongside other cities that have suffered from mass shootings.