A $13 million settlement has been approved in a lawsuit over an active shooter drill at a Michigan psychiatric hospital for children that took place on December 21, 2022. During the drill, someone declared through a speaker system that two armed men were inside the Hawthorn Center in suburban Detroit, causing panic among the children and staff. While the message turned out to be false, the event led to children and staff scrambling for cover, texting family members, and urgently calling 911.
Attorney Robin Wagner described the event as horrifying, with people hiding under desks and barricading doors to protect the children. As a result of the settlement, 50 children at the hospital will receive approximately $60,000 each, while 90 staff members will receive over $50,000 on average based on their trauma exam scores. Additionally, two dozen other staff members will receive smaller amounts as part of the settlement. Wagner stated that the state recognized that the drill was a bad decision that harmed many people.
Police were unaware of the active shooter drill, and upon responding to 911 calls, they arrived at the Hawthorn Center with body armor and high-powered weapons, prepared for a dangerous situation. Two individuals who were instructed to pose as shooters were apprehended, but they were not armed. This led to additional confusion and chaos during the drill. Court of Claims Judge James Redford approved the settlement on October 4, with over $3 million set to go to the attorneys in the case.
A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lynn Sutfin, stated that the department believed it was in the best interest of all involved parties to settle the matter. Sutfin also expressed regret that patients, staff, and the community were negatively affected by the incident that occurred in December 2022. The aftermath of the false active shooter drill left a lasting impact on those involved and highlighted the importance of proper planning and communication during emergency drills to prevent unnecessary panic and trauma. The settlement serves as a recognition by the state of Michigan of the harm caused by the drill and the need for accountability in such situations.
