Michigan gunman had child abuse conviction, bitter divorce battle before deadly rampage

Michigan State Police are investigating a shooting rampage that left five people dead and another critically injured, as court records show the suspected gunman had a history of domestic disputes and a child abuse conviction.

Chad Hickman, 39, was found dead Friday after authorities launched a manhunt following the shootings. Police have not yet released the names of the victims or established a motive for the violence, according to the New York Post.

Hickman was convicted in 2024 of fourth-degree child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of children stemming from a 2010 case, according to court records. He was sentenced to one year in Missaukee County jail. Other charges, including two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, were dismissed.

His former wife, Katie Frye, had reported allegations of abuse during their divorce proceedings. Court filings said Frye alleged Hickman used “threats of harm, including physical violence, sexual assault, and financial control” during their marriage. Friends and relatives described the relationship as “toxic,” with a judge saying it was “defined by volatility.” The marriage was dissolved in July 2025, but court proceedings were still ongoing. The former couple was scheduled for another hearing on Sept. 1.

Hickman denied the allegations against him in social media posts. In an October Facebook post, he wrote: “Everything my ex wife said about me was a lie and I have proven that in front of 3 different honorable judges, Katie Hickman [Frye] told all those lies about me simply as part of an orchestrated hit to take literally everything we owned in the divorce after her many attempts of blackmailing me didn’t work.”

He also wrote: “Leaving Katie was the best thing I ever did, despite every evil thing she threw at me I’ve never been happier.”