Rochester Hills, Michigan – A horrific incident unfolded at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad over the weekend, leaving a community in shock as a gunman opened fire on innocent bystanders, resulting in nine individuals sustaining injuries, including two children. The shooting occurred at 1585 E. Auburn Road in Rochester Hills, just after 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.
Authorities revealed that the shooter arrived at the splash pad, parked his vehicle, and commenced firing upon exiting the car at the base of the steps leading to the splash pad. He proceeded to move up the steps, reloading his weapon, and continued the senseless act from the top of the stairs within the splash pad area. The assailant discharged a total of 28 rounds into the crowded splash pad, reloading multiple times, and is believed to have been using two handguns during the attack.
Tragically, some victims were struck while attempting to escape the chaotic scene, with the shooter fleeing before law enforcement arrived. The Oakland County sergeant swiftly responded to the incident within minutes of the 911 call, providing immediate aid by applying tourniquets and offering support to the victims.
The victims, ranging in age from 4 to 78 years old, included Micayla and Eric Coughlin from Rochester Hills, who shielded their daughters from the gunfire, resulting in the parents sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Among the injured were also a 39-year-old woman and her two sons, one of whom was in critical condition, as well as a 30-year-old woman, a 30-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man, and a 78-year-old man. One of the victims was reported to be an employee of the city of Rochester Hills.
The gunman, identified as Michael William Nash, 42, from Shelby Township, was found deceased hours after the shooting at a local mobile home park, having taken his own life. Authorities recovered a 9mm handgun registered to Nash at the splash pad and located a rifle at the residence where the shooter was discovered.
Police are actively investigating the motive behind the shooting, emphasizing the importance of identifying and addressing potential threats posed by individuals struggling with mental health challenges. The incident raised concerns about the need for effective implementation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) laws to prevent similar tragedies in the future.