Authorities discovered five people dead, including a teenage boy, following shootings on Friday that led to an extensive search for the assailant. The gunman’s body was later found in a wooded area with one of the victims. A teenage girl survived the attack and is currently in stable condition, police confirmed.

Chad Hickman, aged 39, was found deceased after an intensive manhunt in Missaukee County, as reported by police. On Saturday, officials provided the ages and genders of the victims but did not disclose their potential connections to one another or to Hickman.

Police responded to reports of gunfire at a residence located approximately 170 miles northwest of Detroit. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of a 16-year-old boy, a 45-year-old man, and a 40-year-old woman. A 13-year-old girl was found critically injured at the same location, according to Michigan State Police.

Hickman reportedly fled from the scene, sparking a large-scale search effort. Authorities subsequently located the body of a 53-year-old man at a secondary location. Hickman and a 29-year-old woman were later found deceased in the forest nearby. All individuals died from gunshot injuries, police stated.

“This situation is heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved,” Lt. Ashley Miller expressed in a statement on Friday. The investigation is ongoing, Miller mentioned on Saturday.

Records indicate that Hickman was previously convicted of misdemeanor fourth-degree child abuse in 2024. He received a one-year jail sentence. In this case, felony assault and criminal sexual conduct charges were dismissed by the court.

Tim Penrose, a resident on the same street where the 53-year-old’s body was located, mentioned that Hickman had lived there. He recounted hearing gunshots but initially disregarded them due to frequent gunfire in the rural area. Penrose described Hickman’s behavior as frequently harassing him and his wife, though he shared few details.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated on Friday that she was keeping track of the unfolding situation. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the Missaukee community,” Whitmer communicated.

Associated Press writer Hallie Golden also contributed to this coverage. GaNun is a member of the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, a nonprofit national service program placing journalists in local newsrooms to cover underreported topics.