A mother and her son have been identified as the first victims in a devastating Michigan shooting that ended with five people dead before the suspected gunman took his own life.
Amanda Everitt, 41, and her teenage son, Eric, were killed Friday morning inside their home on LaChance Road in Lake Township, according to relatives.
Michigan State Police said the shooter, 39-year-old Chad Hickman, also fatally shot a third person at the residence and critically wounded Everitt’s 13-year-old daughter, Bella.
Despite being shot in the arm, Bella managed to call 911 for help. Hickman had already fled by the time officers reached the scene, triggering a wide-ranging manhunt.
During the search, officers discovered a fourth victim dead at a separate home, deepening the scope of the unfolding tragedy.
Troopers soon located Hickman’s vehicle abandoned near a wooded area not far from Whitlock Lake.
Authorities brought in a K9 team to comb through the area, where they found Hickman dead alongside another deceased victim.
Amanda’s father, David Everitt, later posted an emotional tribute on Facebook honoring his daughter and grandson while commending Bella for her courage.
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 Our News Outlet 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.
