Splash Pad shooting leaves 9 injured (2 children), suspect dead [VIDEOS]

Tragedy struck the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills when a shooting left nine people injured, including an 8-year-old boy with a serious head injury and a 4-year-old boy with a thigh injury. Among the victims was a 39-year-old woman, also seriously injured, all from the same family.

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According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, the gunman opened fire spontaneously and indiscriminately, unleashing a flurry of gunfire before fleeing. Unfathomably, the shooter was just 20 feet away from the victims, brandishing a 9mm Glock and expending a terrifying 28 rounds in the assault.

🚨#BREAKING: Multiple law enforcement agencies along with SWAT have surrounded a mobile home where the suspected shooter is believed to be after shooting 9-10 people, including children ⁰⁰📌#Rochesterhills | #Michigan
⁰At this time, there is a strong emergency response as… pic.twitter.com/qehgz2ra4S

— RAWSALERTS (@rawsalerts) June 16, 2024

We had an active shooter at the Auburn splash pad in Rochester Hills. It is still an active crime scene and we potentially have suspicious content nearby, but we asked that people stay away from the area. We have numerous injured victims. More to follow.

— Oakland County Sheriff's Office (@oaklandsheriff) June 15, 2024

After the attack, the suspect evaded authorities, only to later be discovered dead by suicide at a residence in Shelby Township. Further investigation uncovered a second gun in the home, described by Bouchard as a potential .223 semi-automatic, raising concerns of another planned embezzlement.

🚨#UPDATE: The suspect in the Splash Pad shooting is a 42-year-old white man who lived with his mother and is believed to have suffered from some mental health issues. Among the nine people shot and wounded, two were children. pic.twitter.com/02mKAbpk1W

— RAWSALERTS (@rawsalerts) June 16, 2024

The assailant, a 42-year-old white man with no criminal record but who is said to have mental health issues, was found to be living with his mother. Heartbreak and chaos left the community reeling as Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett lamented the perversion of a place meant for innocent gatherings and moments of joy.

Adding to the somber sentiments, U.S. Rep. John James, R-Farmington Hills, denounced the tragedy, saying fathers should not be confined to hospitals on Father's Day. Governor Gretchen Whitmer also commented on the incident, expressing a sense of despondency as authorities continued to address the situation.

I am heartbroken to hear about the shooting in Rochester Hills. We are monitoring the situation as updates continue to come in and are in contact with local officials.

— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) June 16, 2024

In response, the Oakland Community Health Network pledged mental health support for the victims and anyone present during the attack, a small respite in the face of unfathomable horror. As Rochester Hills grapples with the aftermath of this senseless violence, the resilience of the community stands firm, amidst the shadows of tragedy.

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