PONTIAC, Mich. (TCN) — A 42-year-old man accused of shooting and wounding at least nine people at his family's water park before turning the gun on himself reportedly believed the government was spying on him.
According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, shortly after 5 p.m., Saturday, June 15, officers responded to the splash pad after receiving reports of shots fired. Bouchard said in his latest update that there were at least nine victims, including an 8-year-old boy who was making “remarkable progress” after being shot in the head.
The parents of two young girls shielded their children from bullets and were shot at least seven times during the incident, according to the Detroit Free Press. The sheriff said several victims remain hospitalized, including three from the same family.
It is reported that the youngest victim was 4 years old and the oldest was over 76 years old.
The suspect, identified as Michael Nash, fled and investigators investigated the scene. According to Bouchard, Nash brought two firearms. He reportedly used one of them at a splash pad to fire at least 36 bullets toward his family.
Investigators responded to Nash's home and reportedly found 11 firearms. There, they found the suspect dead from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Bouchard said he and officials suspect Nash suffers from mental health issues. Nash's family said he believed the government was watching him. He is known to have frequently made statements such as “Turn off your phone,” “We are watching,” and “They are listening to us.” He also reportedly walked around the house carrying a weapon. Despite having mental health issues, Bouchard said investigators have not yet determined an official motive and are examining several electronic devices found at the residence.
Authorities do not believe Nash knew the victims and he does not have a criminal record.
“The shooting of nine people on Saturday while they were simply enjoying a summer day at a water park in Rochester Hills is yet another horrific example of senseless violence,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said in a statement.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized the impact the shooting had on the victims, saying, “Our focus has to be on the victims, the people who were shot and their families, the children and adults who were there, the first responders who suffered physical injuries.” “But their experiences and traumas are the same as reality.”
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