Detroit Psychiatric Hospital to Pay $13 Million Settlement After Active Shooter Drill Scare

Detroit Psychiatric Hospital Settles Lawsuit for $13 Million After Active Shooter Drill Scare

Detroit, MI – In a shocking turn of events, the Hawthorn Center, a state-run psychiatric hospital for children in suburban Detroit, is making headlines this week after a judge approved a whopping $13 million settlement. This decision comes on the heels of a terrifying incident that took place on December 21, 2022, when an unannounced active shooter drill led to a panic among both staff and children.

Imagine being at work or school and suddenly hearing over the loudspeaker that armed men had entered the building and that shots were being fired. That’s exactly what happened at Hawthorn Center, causing chaos and fear to ripple through the facility. Attorney Robin Wagner, who represents many of the affected individuals, said the scene was nothing short of horrifying. “Everyone went into, ‘Oh my God. This is the worst day of my life,’ ” she expressed during a recent interview.

The Horrifying Day of December 21

On that fateful day, approximately 50 children and 90 staff members were caught off guard by the alarm, leading them to scramble for cover. They texted family members and even called 911 in a panic. Wagner described the situation, stating that people were “hiding under their desks” and “barricading the doors,” all while trying to protect the vulnerable children in their care.

The Michigan police were also not informed about the drill and arrived at the scene armed and ready for action. Officers were met with a scene unlike any other, as they rushed into the facility, anticipating a potential shooting scenario. Wagner mentioned that two individuals were instructed to pose as shooters but were not actually armed. The entire incident left first responders baffled, as they had responded to what they believed was a live emergency.

The Settlement and Its Implications

On October 4, 2023, Court of Claims Judge James Redford approved the settlement, which will see the affected staff and children receive compensation for their trauma. Each child will receive approximately $60,000, while staff will see an average payout of over $50,000, depending on their scores in a trauma assessment. Additionally, around two dozen other staff members will receive smaller compensation amounts.

Wagner emphasized the acknowledgment made by the state regarding the incident, noting that they “recognized that this was really a bad decision and harmed a lot of people.” The state’s Department of Health and Human Services has expressed regret about the incident and indicated that settling the case was in “the best interest of all involved parties.” Spokesperson Lynn Sutfin stated, “We regret that our patients, staff and community were negatively affected by the unfortunate incident in December 2022.”

Looking Ahead

Following the chaos that unfolded during the drill, Wagner revealed that the safety director who organized it continues to work for the state. Meanwhile, the hospital has since closed for reasons unrelated to the drill, but the fallout from that day will certainly linger in the memories of those involved.

This tragic accident stands as a stark reminder of the importance of communication and protocol in emergency scenarios, especially when it involves the safety of vulnerable children. The road to healing and recovery will undoubtedly be long for many of those affected, but this settlement offers a step towards accountability and restitution in a situation that was anything but ordinary.