Gunman Opens Fire at Michigan Splash Park, Injuring Nine
A gunman opened fire at a splash park in Rochester Hills, Michigan on Saturday, leaving nine people injured, including two children, one of whom is in critical condition. The suspect, identified as Michael William Nash, 42, was later found dead in a nearby home, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting took place at Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad, a popular play area for children fitted with water nozzles. Witnesses reported that the gunman pulled up, exited a vehicle, and began firing multiple rounds before fleeing the scene. Images shared on social media showed a chaotic scene with police and emergency workers attending to the injured.
Among the victims were an 8-year-old boy who was shot in the head and a 39-year-old woman who was shot in the abdomen and leg, both in critical condition. Three members of a city employee’s group, including his wife who suffered a broken arm, were also injured. The remaining victims, including a married couple, were in stable condition.
Authorities recovered a Glock 9-millimeter handgun and three empty magazines at the scene, indicating that the gunman fired up to 28 times. They were able to track the suspect to a nearby home in Shelby Township, where he was found dead. A semiautomatic rifle was found on the kitchen table, raising concerns of a potential second chapter to the tragedy.
The suspect, who was believed to be living with his mother, was reportedly facing mental health challenges but had no prior contact with law enforcement. Rochester Hills, a suburb of Detroit, has a population of about 76,000 people and has been shaken by this senseless act of violence.
This incident marks the second shooting in Oakland County in recent years, following the tragic shooting at Oxford High School in 2021. Officials expressed frustration and disgust at the prevalence of gun violence in their community, emphasizing the urgent need for action to prevent such tragedies in the future.
