Shelby Township, Michigan – Michael William Nash, a 42-year-old resident of Shelby Township, has been identified as the gunman in a tragic shooting incident at a splash pad in suburban Detroit. Authorities confirmed that Nash took his own life after the attack, which occurred on Saturday.
The incident unfolded around 5 p.m. when Nash arrived at a park in Rochester Hills and began firing his weapon. He fired up to 28 rounds, reloading multiple times, resulting in nine people being injured. Among the victims were an 8-year-old boy with a head wound, his 4-year-old brother who was shot in the leg, and their mother, who suffered injuries to her abdomen and leg. The 8-year-old and his mother remain in critical condition, while the other victims are reported to be in stable condition.
Following the shooting, Nash fled the scene and left his weapon behind. Law enforcement officials were able to trace him to his Shelby Township home using the gun’s registration details. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Nash dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Inside the home, a handgun was found beside Nash, and a semiautomatic rifle was located on the kitchen table.
Authorities are currently investigating Nash’s motives, with Sheriff Mike Bouchard suggesting that Nash may have been planning further attacks. Investigators are examining Nash’s electronic devices and personal writings for any insights into his actions.
Neighbors described Nash as a reclusive individual who rarely interacted with others in the community. It was noted that Nash had been privately struggling with mental health issues, though these concerns were not known to those around him.
The Rochester Hills community is mourning the tragic event, with Mayor Bryan Barnett expressing deep sadness over the shooting. Sheriff Bouchard described the incident as a significant blow to the county, which has been grappling with other recent tragedies, including the 2021 Oxford High School shooting.
This tragic event is part of a disturbing trend of mass shootings over the weekend, which also included incidents in Lathrup Village, Methuen, Massachusetts, and Round Rock, Texas. The attack in Round Rock, which occurred during a Juneteenth celebration, resulted in two deaths and left eight people injured.