(Rochester Hills) Eight people were injured after a gunman opened fire at a paddling pool in the American suburb of Detroit, where families gathered to escape the summer heat on Saturday, authorities said. Law enforcement followed a suspect to a home, where the person committed suicide.
At least two of the victims were children, authorities said. They initially said they believed at least 10 people were shot and injured in the Rochester Hills shooting, but that number was later lowered after checking with area hospitals.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said a suspect was confined in a nearby home and law enforcement had him surrounded. Rochester police announced Saturday evening that the person had committed suicide.
The shooting happened shortly after 5 p.m. in a city park that includes a recreation area with a non-slip surface where people can turn on jets and water fountains to play. Bouchard said the shooting appeared to be random, with the shooter heading toward the park, walking toward the splash pad and firing up to 28 times, stopping several times to reload.
A handgun and three empty magazines were recovered, the sheriff said.
Police cordoned off the scene of the shooting with tape, and dozens of yellow markers lay on the ground among colorful folding chairs.
In a social media post, authorities said there was still an active crime scene and asked people to avoid the area. Sheriff Bouchard said people sheltering in the park can return home safely.
It was not immediately clear if other people or weapons were inside the home with the potential suspect, Bouchard said, and law enforcement was trying to make contact with him.
The victims were taken to hospital and their condition was not immediately known.
Rochester Hills is about 15 miles south of Oxford, where in 2021 a 15-year-old fatally shot four high school students.
Saturday’s shooting occurred at the end of the first full week of summer vacation for Rochester Community Schools students.
Bouchard called it a “low blow” for the county.
“We’ve had so much tragedy,” the sheriff said. You know, we don’t even fully understand what happened at Oxford. And, you know, we’re now faced with another total tragedy that we have to deal with. »
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer wrote on the X platform that she was heartbroken to learn of the shooting and was in contact with local authorities.
