Splash Pad Mass Shooting: Couple Shot While Shielding Daughters

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — A Rochester Hills couple, who had just gotten ice cream with their two young daughters, were at the splash pad for less than a minute Saturday when a gunman opened fire, according to a GoFundMe account that was verified by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Micayla and Eric Coughlin grabbed their two daughters, ages 2 and 7 months, to protect them when they heard the gunfire, according to the fundraiser created by a family friend.

The couple succeeded in protecting their children, but were a total of shot seven times in the process and remain in the hospital where they were undergoing necessary treatment, according to the account.

The Coughlins were among nine people shot Saturday at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills. Other victims included an 8-year-old boy, who was shot in the head, and his mother, who was wounded in the abdomen and leg. Both were in critical condition. The woman's 4-year-old son was shot in the leg but stable.

The six other victims, all at least 30 years old, were also in stable condition, according to police.

"My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and the Brooklands neighborhood. This tragic event has deeply affected us all, and our thoughts are with those still recovering in the hospital," Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said. "To those impacted, please prioritize your mental well-being and seek help if needed during this difficult time."

Multiple news outlets identified the shooter as 42-year-old Shelby Township resident Michael William Nash, who police say fled the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad after firing 28 rounds, reloading repeatedly, shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday.

At the scene, officers found three empty magazines and a 9mm handgun, which they used to track the shooter to a nearby mobile home in Shelby Township, according to police.

Officers surrounded the home for several hours before eventually busting in to find Nash dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police.

Officers found a handgun next to the body and a semiautomatic rifle on the kitchen table. Officials said Saturday that Nash may have been planning another shooting.

Officials have not identified a motive and believe the shooting was completely random. They also added that the gunman had no prior criminal history, but apparently suffered privately from what the sheriff called "mental health challenges."

Mental health professionals are available at the Department of Public Services building at 511 E. Auburn Road to help anyone seeking counseling with the recovery process.

Anyone who cannot attend grief counseling can call 800-848-5533 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to talk to the county health division's on-call nurse.

The shooting comes nearly three years after the deadly Oxford High School shooting, which left four students dead and seven other people wounded.

"The Oakland County community stands with the injured and their families, and unfortunately, just as we had to do in Oxford, we will be with the victims, their families and the community for as long as it takes," said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter.