Gunman Shoots Children at Michigan Water Park, Hurting Eight in Random Attack.
The unidentified attacker fired 28 shots at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills at approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.
“It seems the individual arrived in a vehicle, got out, approached the splash pad, fired shots, reloaded, fired again, reloaded, and then left,” stated Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
Eight individuals were injured in the incident.
Among the victims, three were from the same family. An 8-year-old boy was critically wounded by a shot to the head, while his 4-year-old brother was hit in the thigh, Bouchard mentioned.
A 39-year-old woman related to the boys was critically injured with gunshot wounds to her abdomen and legs.
The remaining six victims, all aged 30 and above, included a married couple and a 78-year-old man, all of whom were in stable condition. The shooter was described as a 42-year-old man without a criminal record but with suspected mental health issues, according to the Detroit News.
The gunman “appeared to be in no hurry and calmly walked back to his car,” the sheriff said.
“It seems very random, with no connection to the victims,” Bouchard added, calling the event “a gut punch” for the community.
Authorities recovered a handgun and three empty magazines at the scene.
Police traced the suspect to a nearby house, where a brief standoff occurred. They deployed a drone before entering the residence to find the suspect deceased.
Rochester City Mayor Bryan Barnett confirmed the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the standoff but did not speculate on a motive.
According to police, the gunman had a semiautomatic rifle and another handgun at the house, and the quick response may have averted further violence, Bouchard noted.
The victims’ current conditions are uncertain.
“I have received calls from the White House, the Governor, most of our congressional delegation, and mayors from across the county,” Barnett said in a statement.
“This tragic event has occurred too often nationwide and, unfortunately, has now impacted our city. The Brooklands is a proud neighborhood, and our community is strong and close-knit. We will persevere. I urge our residents to keep the victims, their families, and our community in their prayers.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her heartbreak over the shooting on X and indicated she was in communication with local officials.
“Children should be safe from gun violence whether at school, home, or a splash pad,” Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson wrote on X. “Our current efforts are insufficient.” Rochester Hills is approximately 28 miles from downtown Detroit.