Michigan shooter's father had dark past in Lake City before parole to Iowa
When Michigan State Police began investigating a shooting rampage in northern Michigan on Aug. 14, the name Chad Hickman quickly spread across national headlines. But for those who knew the Hickman family of Lake City, Michigan, the violence was not entirely surprising. Court records reveal a dark family history, including a 1991 kidnapping and rape conviction against Chad's father, Robert Preston Hickman Jr., who was later paroled to Iowa.
What happened in the 1991 kidnapping case?
In May 1991, when Chad Hickman was just 3 years old, his father was arrested and charged with kidnapping, raping, and attempting to kill Chad's mother. The couple was estranged and going through a divorce at the time.
Chad's mother had been missing for more than 36 hours when she emerged from the woods west of town, seeking refuge at a stranger's home and begging for protection from her husband.
According to court transcripts, she testified that on May 22, 1991, she was working on a house on South LaChance Road when her husband appeared wearing camouflage and face paint, wielding a baseball bat.
He put a cable snare over my head and around my neck and he made it real tight, she testified.
She described being loaded into a van, driven into the woods, punched, raped, and chained by the neck to a tree. Robert Hickman reportedly began digging a hole he said would be her grave before she managed to break free and run to safety.
How did the case unfold?
Robert Hickman eluded police for nearly three months before being found in California in August 1991. He was extradited back to Michigan to face trial. His defense attorney argued that extensive media coverage had tainted the jury pool, but the judge declined to move the trial.
In his own defense, Robert Hickman denied abusing his wife, claiming injuries from a previous shooting made him incapable of dragging her into the woods. He acknowledged having sex with his wife in the woods but called it consensual, describing their time there as a friendly outing.
In March 1992, a jury convicted Robert Hickman of kidnapping and first-degree criminal sexual conduct but acquitted him of assault with intent to murder and a felony firearm charge. He was sentenced to 25 to 40 years in prison.
Robert Hickman's parole to Iowa
Michigan Department of Corrections spokeswoman Jenni Riehle confirmed that Robert Hickman was released on parole to Iowa on June 7, 2012, where he had previously lived. He completed two years of parole there and was released in 2014.
The connection to Iowa is notable for local readers, as it highlights how individuals with violent histories can resettle in communities across state lines.
Chad Hickman's history of violence
Chad Hickman was 39 when he died, and by then he had accumulated a long history of violent behavior. Court records show multiple personal protection orders filed against him over the years.
In October 2016, a 31-year-old Lake City man sought a protection order, describing years of harassment and threats. In October 2019, a 64-year-old man said Hickman threatened to strangle him. Both orders were granted.
In January 2024, Chad Hickman faced four felony and five misdemeanor charges, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm by strangulation and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. In August 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree child abuse and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. All other charges were dismissed.
Prosecutor David DenHouten explained the plea deal, citing credibility issues with the alleged victim's testimony. Hickman served about 10 months in county jail.
What happened during the Aug. 14 shooting rampage?
Michigan State Police say Chad Hickman went to a home on South LaChance Road and shot and killed Shane McGowan, 45; Amanda Everitt, 40; and her son, Eric Thomas, 16. He also shot Everitt's daughter, Bella Padilla Everitt, 13, who survived and is recovering in a Grand Rapids hospital.
Investigators believe Hickman then went to a home about 2 miles away and shot John Schwartz, 53. Police later found Hickman dead in a wooded area about a mile from that home. His sister, Heather Schwartz, 29, was found dead near him.
Missaukee County Sheriff Wilbur Yancer said investigators found nearly 70 complaints involving Hickman as a witness, complainant, or suspect. John McGehee, who knew Hickman socially, described him as unhinged and said he should not have been on the street.
What does this mean for Iowa?
This case serves as a reminder of the challenges communities face when individuals with violent histories are released and resettled. It also underscores the importance of thorough background checks and community awareness, particularly as Iowa continues to welcome individuals from other states.
The full story of the Hickman family's tragic history is a cautionary tale about the cycle of violence and the importance of accountability in the justice system.