ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (AP) — A shooting at a splash pad in a Detroit suburb left nine people injured, including two young children and their mother, as families gathered to escape the summer heat on Saturday. Authorities tracked down a suspect to a home, where the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
An 8-year-old boy was critically injured after being shot in the head, while his mother was also in critical condition with wounds to her abdomen and leg. The boy’s 4-year-old brother was in stable condition with a leg wound.
Originally, authorities believed up to 10 people had been shot in Rochester Hills, but that number was revised after checking with local hospitals.
The other six victims, all aged 30 or older, were in stable condition. They included a couple and a 78-year-old man.
The shooting took place at a city park with a splash pad featuring a recreation area where individuals can play in sprays and fountains of water. According to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, the attack appeared to be random, with the shooter firing multiple times before calmly walking back to his car.
Witnesses reported the use of two handguns during the attack, but this has not yet been confirmed by authorities.
Police responded quickly to the shooting after receiving a 911 call, providing immediate first aid to the victims. The suspect was found dead in his home, where another weapon was recovered. Authorities are still unclear on the suspect’s motive.
Counseling services will be available for those impacted by the shooting, as the community tries to cope with yet another tragic event in the area.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed her sadness over the incident and was in communication with local officials.
