(Rochester Hills) Eight people were injured, including an 8-year-old boy who was shot in the head and was in critical condition, after a gunman opened fire at a wading pool in suburban Detroit, where families gathered to escape the summer heat on Saturday. Law enforcement followed a suspect to a home, where the person shot himself, authorities said.
At least two of the victims were children, law enforcement said. Authorities initially said they believed at least 10 people were shot and injured in the shooting in Rochester Hills, but that number was later lowered after checking with area hospitals.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said a suspect was confined to a nearby home and law enforcement had him surrounded. The City of Rochester said via Facebook that the person committed suicide.
Bouchard said the 8-year-old was in critical condition during a nightly news conference, where he also said two members of the boy’s family, including a 4-year-old, were also been affected.
He said the first deputies to arrive on scene immediately began providing first aid, including tourniquets.
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.
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.
Mr. Bouchard called it a “low blow” for the county.
“We’ve had so many tragedies,” 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.