At least eight people were shot at a recreation area in Rochester Hills, Michigan, leading to a suspect being contained at a home surrounded by officers near the crime scene. The victims were taken to different hospitals with varying degrees of injuries, and one person had already undergone surgery and was doing well. Two of the victims were children, with one being 8 years old. The incident is still unfolding, with authorities initially reporting nine or possibly 10 injured individuals.
Several law enforcement agencies responded to the shooting, which took place at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad. Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her condolences and stated that she was monitoring the situation closely and in contact with local officials. Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett lamented the tragedy in a close-knit community. The first 911 call came in at around 5:11 p.m., and officers were able to arrive at the scene in just two minutes, thanks to advanced technology that allows livestreaming of emergency calls.
A handgun and three empty magazines were found at the scene, suggesting that the suspect had fired numerous shots before fleeing. The suspect had approached the recreation area, exited a vehicle, and opened fire from 20 feet away, reloading multiple times. The sheriff stated that the suspect may have fired up to 28 times, and the motivation behind the attack remains unclear. It is believed to be a random incident, and authorities are yet to determine why the suspect carried out the shooting.
The suspect is currently contained in a home close to the crime scene, surrounded by officers. Additional resources such as SWAT teams and armored vehicles have been brought in to assist in the situation. Authorities are trying to communicate with the suspect, who has not responded yet. A search warrant is being obtained for the address where the suspect is contained, and it is possible that more weapons are present in the home. The community is still reeling from a recent tragedy at a nearby high school in Oxford, where four students were killed in a shooting.
The sheriff emphasized the need for sheltering individuals in the park to return home and for others to avoid the area if they are nearby. The suspect was not previously known to law enforcement, but was identified based on evidence from the crime scene. Deputies at the scene spotted someone matching the description of the suspect, leading to the containment of the individual. The full impact of the incident is still being processed, especially in light of the recent school shooting tragedy in the area. Law enforcement continues to investigate the situation, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.
CNN has reached out to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for further details on the ongoing situation in Rochester Hills. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this shooting, law enforcement and local officials are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. The incident has further highlighted the need for continued efforts to address gun violence and prevent such devastating events from occurring in the future.
