Victims of Northern Michigan mass shooting range in age from 13 to 53

Updated: Aug. 15, 2026, 7:56 p.m.
Published: Aug. 15, 2026, 12:41 p.m.
By Jennifer Eberbach | jeberbach@mlive.com
MISSAUKEE COUNTY, MI — Michigan State Police officials have released details on the victims of a Northern Michigan mass shooting that left six people dead, including the suspected shooter, and another injured across three crime scenes.

“As investigators seek a possible motive for the shootings, they have identified the five victims by age and gender though not by relationship to each other at this time,” MSP said in a release.

Three people found dead at a home on South LaChance Road include a 16-year-old male, a 45-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman.

Also at that location, a 13-year-old female was injured and transported to the hospital in critical condition. She remains hospitalized in stable condition on Saturday, MSP said.

A 53-year-old man was killed at a second, separate home in the county.

The suspected shooter, 39-year-old Chad Hickman, of Lake City/Jennings, was found dead in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake. A 29-year-old woman found with Hickman was also killed.

Troopers were called to the residence on South LaChance Road around 11:40 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, on the report of someone being shot. The area is about 15 minutes southeast of Cadillac.

The suspect fled that scene prior to the troopers’ arrival, according to MSP Lt. Ashley Miller. This initiated a large-scale police response and search with support from the MSP Emergency Support Team and aviation and canine units.

During the search, the fourth deceased individual was located at the second home.

Troopers later observed the suspect’s vehicle near a wooded area close to Whitlock Lake in Caldwell Township and located Hickman and the other individual deceased in the wooded area.

Detectives from the MSP Cadillac Post worked through the night processing the three active crime scenes, according to MSP.

Troopers have been assisted throughout the investigation by the MSP Aviation Unit, Emergency Support Team, Canine Unit, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the Missaukee County Road Commission.

The investigation remains ongoing. MSP will provide updates by email and on X at @MSPNorthernMI.

Jennifer Eberbach

Washtenaw County reporter Jennifer Eberbach covers local government and community news for MLive/The Ann Arbor News. She covers issues that impact residents in townships and smaller cities outside of Ann Arbor....more