Who Was Chad Hickman? Suspected Gunman In Michigan Mass Shooting

Chad Hickman, a 39-year-old man suspected of a mass shooting in rural Michigan, had a troubled past that included convictions for child abuse and a contentious divorce marked by allegations of domestic violence. On Friday, Michigan State Police identified Hickman as the suspected gunman following multiple shootings in Missaukee County.

Five victims were killed, and another person was critically injured. Hickman was found dead, though the cause of his death and the motive behind the shootings remain undisclosed as of Saturday. Court records show that in 2024, Hickman pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges: fourth-degree child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, stemming from an incident from 2010.

Divorce proceedings also revealed allegations of domestic violence and control issues during his marriage. Authorities have not yet disclosed any connection between Hickman and the victims or whether his past legal and domestic issues were related to the shootings. MSP Lt. Ashley Miller emphasized the tragic nature of the incident and the challenges faced by investigators, promising a thorough investigation.

The identities of the victims, their relationships to Hickman, and a possible motive have not been publicly disclosed. Hickman's age and place of residence in Missaukee County were confirmed by the sheriff's office. Despite limited public information about Hickman's personal life, the court records confirm his prior criminal history involving child abuse allegations.

He had two misdemeanor charges dismissed in 2024, including assault with intent to cause great bodily harm, interfering with electronic communications, and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.