On a tragic day in Lake City, Michigan, 53-year-old John Schwartz became one of five victims in a devastating mass shooting that unfolded on August 14, 2026. The quiet of the late summer day was shattered by a string of violent acts committed by 39-year-old Chad Hickman, a man with familial connections to some of his victims. The incident, which spanned multiple locations in Missaukee County, left a community in shock and mourning the senseless loss of life.
The grim events began to come
to light when Michigan State Police were dispatched to a residence on South LaChance Road in Lake Township following a report of a shooting. At this location, they discovered the bodies of Shane McGowan, 45, Amanda Everitt, 40, and her 16-year-old son, Eric Thomas. A 13-year-old girl, Bella Padilla-Everitt, was also found at the scene with critical injuries but bravely managed to call 911 for help, an act that ultimately saved her life. As the investigation broadened and law enforcement searched for the suspect, they made another harrowing discovery at a separate home in Missaukee County: the body of John Schwartz.
The search for the armed and dangerous suspect, Chad Hickman, culminated in a wooded area near Whitlock Lake. There, authorities found Hickman's vehicle, and nearby, the bodies of both Hickman and 29-year-old Heather Schwartz. Investigators later revealed the intricate and tragic family ties that connected the shooter to his victims. Heather Schwartz was identified as Hickman's half-sister and the daughter of John Schwartz. It was also reported that John Schwartz had previously been married to Hickman's mother, making him the suspect's former stepfather. While the relationships between Hickman and his victims were established, a clear motive for the horrific killing spree remained under investigation. The case concluded with the death of the sole suspect, Chad Hickman, leaving a community to grapple with the aftermath of a tragedy that claimed the lives of five innocent people and forever altered the life of a young survivor.
