Six Dead—Manhunt Ends In Woods

Six people, including the suspected gunman, were found dead after a multi-location shooting in rural Michigan, police said.

Story Snapshot

Michigan State Police said six are dead, including the suspect, after shootings across multiple scenes.
Troopers found three people dead at the first scene and another person critically wounded.
Police identified the suspect as 39-year-old Chad Hickman and later found him deceased.
Officials said there was no ongoing threat once the suspect was located.

What Police Say Happened in Missaukee County

Michigan State Police said a 911 call came in around 11:40 a.m. Friday in Missaukee County, a rural area in northern Michigan. Troopers reached an initial scene where they found three people dead and another person critically hurt. Medics took the wounded person to a hospital for care. Police quickly identified a suspect and launched a search. They said the case involved several locations, not one single address, which added time and risk to the response.

Police publicly named the suspect as 39-year-old Chad Hickman. They said he fled after the first scene, which triggered a manhunt across the county. Investigators later tracked his vehicle to a wooded area, where they found Hickman dead along with another deceased person tied to the case. After locating the suspect, authorities told residents there was no ongoing threat to the public. Patrols continued as investigators secured evidence and interviewed witnesses.

How Many People Were Killed and Where

Officials said the investigation covered multiple scenes, including at least two homes and a wooded area in Missaukee County. Across those scenes, police said six people were dead, including the suspect. Early news alerts varied on the total, but later updates aligned on six, which matched the state police account. The names of the victims have not been released yet. Police said they are still piecing together the full sequence and the links between each location.

Reporters at the first address described an active response and a broad law enforcement presence. Troopers secured the perimeter, searched for the suspect, and warned neighbors to shelter in place while the search was underway. The multi-scene nature of the case increased the need for caution and tight control of information. Detectives and crime scene teams began the slow process of collecting physical evidence and building a timeline from the first 911 call onward.

What Remains Under Investigation

State police said they are still working to confirm the motive, final sequence, and the exact connections among all the scenes. Medical examiners will determine the cause and manner of each death, including the suspect’s. That process often takes time because it can require autopsies and lab tests. Dispatch logs and witness statements will help verify when each attack happened and who was present. Officials said more updates will follow as the case develops.

MISSAUKEE COUNTY, MICH. (AP) — Five people were killed and a suspect is dead Friday after a series of killings that took place at two homes and a wooded area in Michigan, according to law enforcement. Michigan State Police were… https://t.co/NdleOzbW0x

— Orlando Sentinel (@orlandosentinel) August 15, 2026

Large cases like this often begin with limited public details while police focus on safety and evidence. Early counts can shift as officers clear scenes and confirm identities, which is common in mass-casualty events. For now, the key facts are clear: six people are dead, the suspected gunman is among them, and police say the wider community is not in danger. The full picture should sharpen as investigators release more verified information.