Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard addressed the media during a press conference June 17.
By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published July 1, 2024
ROCHESTER HILLS — Of the nine people injured in a June 15 shooting at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills, six have been released from the hospital, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
A shooter opened fire at the splash pad that evening, firing 36 rounds and injuring nine people from the ages of 4 to 78 before fleeing the scene. Shortly after, deputies said, the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Michael William Nash, was found dead in his Shelby Township mobile home from a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound. A motive has yet to be identified by police.
During a press conference Monday, June 17, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said the first three shooting victims had been released from the hospital — a 77-year-old man with an abdominal wound, a 39-year-old woman with wounds to the back and arm, and a 37-year-old woman with a hand wound.
The following day, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reported three more victims had been released — a 4-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the thigh, a 42-year-old man with a right knee wound, and a 31-year-old man with a right leg wound.
On June 28, an 8-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the head was released from the hospital.
At press time, his mother, 39, remained in critical condition at the hospital with wounds to the abdomen and leg. A 30-year-old woman with wounds to the thigh and buttocks also remained in the hospital, but was considered stable at press time.
Although the two women are the only victims who remain hospitalized, deputies said many of the victims released earlier still face “significant healing and health challenges.”
At press time, three victims remained in the hospital — A 30-year-old woman with wounds to the thigh and buttocks, an 8-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the head, and his 39-year-old mom, with wounds to the abdomen and leg. While the 30-year-old woman was considered stable at press time, Bouchard said the boy and his mom remained in critical condition.
The 8-year-old boy, according to Bouchard, has made “amazing progress,” thus far.
“The beauty, sometimes, of youth is they’ve got strength and resilience in their little bodies,” Bouchard said. “He seems to be doing well, but there are still a lot of challenges ahead.”
Although police did not identify any of the shooting victims by name, four Sheriff’s Office-verified GoFundMe accounts have provided more details about nine of the victims in an effort to raise funds for medical expenses.
Three of the victims — the 4-year-old boy, the 8-year-old boy and their 39-year-old mother — were identified as members of the Bebout Family on a GoFundMe website created by Tiffany Holcomb, the boys’ aunt, which was verified by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
“This family has gone through things that no family should ever have to face,” said Bouchard.
Two other victims were identified as Micayla and Eric Coughlin on a GoFundMe created by family friend Noel Wakul. The GoFundMe account, which was verified by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, said the couple sustained a total of seven gunshot wounds while trying to shield their 2-year-old and 4-year-old daughters from the gunfire. The couple, according to the GoFundMe, have started physical and occupational therapy for their injuries.
Danielle Iafrate, 39, the wife of a Rochester Hills city employee, was also injured in the shooting, with gunshot wounds to the arm and back while reportedly carrying her 7-year-old child away from danger. She was identified on a GoFundMe created by Michael and Sarah Stan, who are close friends of the family. This GoFundMe site was also verified by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Another person wounded in the shooting is Richard Schumborg, 77, according to a GoFundMe created by family friend Tara Forgue and verified by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Richard took his 8-year-old granddaughter with him to the splash pad that day. While the granddaughter was unharmed, the GoFundMe states Richard was shot twice in the abdomen and once in the thigh.
Karina Aguiar Jacoud, 37, was shot in the hand, and her husband, Carlos, 42, was shot in the knee while shielding their son, according to a GoFundMe organized by their friend Monica Marchezani and verified by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Carlos underwent knee surgery, and Karina underwent hand surgery. Both have injuries to several parts of their bodies, according to the site.
During the press conference, Mayor Bryan Barnett, who wore a light blue and green ribbon pinned to his lapel in recognition of the tragedy, said the city of Rochester Hills has partnered with the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester for a city-sponsored fund, run by the Community Foundation, to provide an additional safe space for the community to donate to the victims. A link can be found at rochesterhills.org/rhstrong, which includes all the verified GoFundMe pages.
Although the splash pad was closed at press time, Barnett said the city plans to reopen it sometime in the future.
He also noted that the city’s Festival of the Hills fireworks show, to be held June 26, would continue as planned under the guidance of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
“This issue won’t define us, but our response will,” Barnett said.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 — formally known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Those who may need help supporting a loved one through a difficult time can also call or text 988.
For more information about mental health care resources and support, the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine can be reached Mondays-Fridays 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
For more information about the city’s response, visit rochesterhills.org/rhstrong.