A mother and son have been named as the first two victims of the horrific Michigan shooting that left five people dead before the gunman killed himself.
Amanda Everitt, 41, and her teenage son, Eric, were shot dead at their home on LaChance Road in Lake Township on Friday morning, their family has confirmed.
The gunman, Chad Hickman, 39, also killed a third unidentified person at the house and critically injured Everitt’s 13-year-old daughter, Bella, according to Michigan State Police.
Bella bravely called 911 after she had been shot in the arm, but Hickman fled the scene before police arrived, prompting an extensive manhunt.
As officers conducted a large-scale search for him, they found a fourth person dead at another home.
A short time later, troopers found Hickman’s vehicle abandoned near a wooded area close to Whitlock Lake.
Authorities then decided to scour the area with a K9 team, when they discovered Hickman’s body – along with another deceased victim.
Everitt’s father, David Everitt, shared a touching tribute to his daughter and grandson while praising Bella’s strength on Facebook.
Amanda Everitt, 41, and her teenage son, Eric, were shot dead at their Michigan home on Friday
Everitt’s father, David Everitt, shared a touching tribute to his daughter and grandson, who is pictured here on his 16th birthday
‘This world just lost two beautiful people and one is clinging to life,’ he wrote.
‘My daughter Amanda and her two beautiful children were shot in their home yesterday, Amanda and her son Eric went home to be with god and our granddaughter Bella is clinging to life in a Grand Rapids hospital.’
The heartbroken grandfather continued: ‘This is my plea to everyone on this planet to teach their children compassion and kindness not hate and violence so parents and family members do not have to bury their children and brothers and sisters.
‘This was a cowardly act by a evil person and i hope hell gives him his due.
‘God be with you Amanda and Eric and prayers for Bella who while shot four times still managed to call 911 and identify the shooter. She is a hero.’
Police have not confirmed the victims’ identities, and it is unclear if Everitt and her children are related to Hickman or his ex-wife, Katie.
A profile apparently belonging to Hickman’s ex-wife posted that she and their three children were safe from the rampage.
‘Just want to let everyone know that me and the kids are safe,’ she posted.
Everitt’s 13-year-old daughter, Bella, bravely called 911 after she had been shot in the arm and is fighting for her life in the hospital
Chad Hickman, 39, killed five people and left another critically injured before apparently taking his own life
‘And thank you all for loving and caring for me and my family as much as you all do. We love you all.’
The ex-wife, Katie, initiated divorce proceedings in 2023, according to records obtained by the Detroit News.
It was then finalized last year, when a judge declared that it was ‘uncontested’ that the marriage had allegations of domestic abuse on both sides that were ‘at the heart of the issues before the court.’
A motive for the killings on Friday remains unclear as authorities work to piece together exactly what happened, but police have said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Court records show Hickman was convicted in 2024 of misdemeanor fourth-degree child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of children in connection with a 2010 criminal case.
Records obtained by the Daily Mail also suggest he was facing a new civil lawsuit that was filed at the end of July. The details of the case were unclear.
The Daily Mail contacted the Michigan State Police for more information.
