ROCHESTER HILLS, MI – Nine people were wounded when an unidentified gunman opened fire on Saturday evening at a splash pad in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills, Michigan, police said. The authorities believe the suspect could possibly be barricaded in a nearby home.
According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, the suspect drove to Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad at approximately 5 p.m. local time, got out of his vehicle, and began open firing on bystanders. The act appeared quite random as the suspect opened fire, reloaded his weapon multiple times, and then fled the scene.
The victims of the shooting ranged from 9 to 10 in number. The victims, which included an 8-year-old boy in critical condition, have been admitted to four different hospitals for treatment. The extent of their injuries varies, and at least one individual underwent surgery.
It is suspected that the shooter is currently in a house located within a half-mile of the splash pad. The suspect’s name was not released, and police are confident that the potential shooter is contained. From evidence collected at the scene of the crime, the authorities assumed the suspect’s identity and location quickly. Notably, a vehicle matching the description of a car seen leaving the scene of the crime was spotted near the suspected location of the shooter.
The suspect reportedly fired 28 times, reloading several times during the shooting. A 9mm Glock semi-automatic handgun, along with three empty magazines, was recovered from the crime scene.
Reacting to the incident, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her deep grief and confirmed that they are closely monitoring the situation and are in regular contact with local officials.