A shooting incident at a Michigan splash park on Saturday left at least eight people injured, including two children, one of whom was in critical condition. The authorities have stated that the attack appeared to be random and the presumed attacker was later found dead in a nearby home.
The tragic event unfolded at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills, Mich., a Detroit suburb. Law enforcement officers responded to the scene shortly after 5 p.m. According to Michael Bouchard, the Oakland County sheriff, the shooter arrived, opened fire at the splash pad, reloaded multiple times, and then left. The incident was described as a random act of violence.
Images shared on social media depicted a heavy police and emergency medical presence at the park. First responders were seen attending to the injured individuals on the splash pad, while bystanders were moved to safety.
Among the victims were an 8-year-old boy who sustained a gunshot wound to the head and a 39-year-old woman who was shot in the abdomen and leg. Both were in critical condition. Additionally, a 4-year-old boy from the same family was shot in the thigh. The rest of the injured individuals, including a married couple, were reported to be in stable condition.
Law enforcement recovered a Glock 9-millimeter handgun and three empty magazines at the scene. It was disclosed that the gunman had fired up to 28 times during the attack. The police were able to trace the shooter to a residence in nearby Shelby Township using the recovered handgun and other evidence. Despite attempts to establish communication, they found the man deceased inside the home. A semiautomatic rifle was discovered on the kitchen table, indicating the possibility of further violence.
The shooter, a 42-year-old male, was believed to have been living with his mother who was not present at the time of the incident. According to Sheriff Bouchard, the assailant was dealing with mental health issues but had no prior interactions with law enforcement.
Rochester Hills, with a population of approximately 76,000 residents, is situated around 25 miles north of Detroit. The community was shaken by the senseless act of violence that occurred at the splash park, leaving multiple individuals injured and the community in shock.