local
‘It’s OK, I have her’: Mom searches for heroes who carried daughters during Great Lakes Crossing shooting
By Erika Erickson, Jacob Nagel at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 16, 2026
· 5 min read
A mother who says strangers helped get her and her two young daughters to safety during a shooting at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets is asking the public for help finding the two people she and her daughters can’t stop thinking about.“I have been searching since the incident happened for two indivi...
Key takeaway ”“They’re so selfless, and they were willing to risk their own lives for my children that they didn’t even know,” Hilliard later told Local 4.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The shooting at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets has left the community reeling, and Ashley Hilliard's search for the strangers who helped her daughters to safety is a poignant reminder of the human impact of such incidents. As the investigation into the shooting continues, residents of Detroit and surrounding areas like Auburn Hills are likely to be on high alert, wondering how such a violent incident could occur in a public place. The fact that the shooting happened after a fight in a bathroom raises questions about mall security and whether more could have been done to prevent the incident. For Hilliard and her family, the trauma of that day will linger, but the selfless actions of the two strangers who carried her daughters to safety offer a glimmer of hope and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there are still good people willing to help those in need.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A mother who says strangers helped get her and her two young daughters to safety during a shooting at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets is asking the public for help finding the two people she and her daughters can’t stop thinking about.“I have been searching since the incident happened for two indivi...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Erika Erickson, Jacob Nagel at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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