Hawthorn Center to Receive $13 Million Settlement Following Distressing Active Shooter Drill

Hawthorn Center Settlement: $13 Million to Address Active Shooter Drill Chaos

It’s been quite an emotional rollercoaster for families and staff at the Hawthorn Center, a psychiatric hospital for children located in suburban Detroit. A recent court ruling has shone a light on a tragic event that unfolded on December 21, 2022, when an unannounced active shooter drill caused panic among the very children and staff it was meant to prepare. Now, a $13 million settlement has been approved to help address the harm caused by this disturbing incident.

The Shock of the Event

Imagine going about your day, and suddenly you hear over the speaker system that two armed men have entered the facility and shots have been fired. That’s exactly what happened at the Hawthorn Center, startling both kids and staff alike. Attorney Robin Wagner, who represents the victims, described the scene as “horrifying.” In that moment, panic set in as everyone scrambled for safety—students covertly texted their loved ones, the staff rushed to lock doors, and some even tried to hide beneath desks, thinking they were possibly facing the worst day of their lives.

The Consequence of a Bad Decision

The drill was carried out by the facility’s safety director, who, surprisingly, did not inform the police about the exercise. As a result, dozens of officers rushed to the scene, heavily armed and prepared for a potential crisis. Two individuals who were role-playing as shooters were apprehended, but it turned out they were not armed. The chaos that ensued was completely unnecessary and has left many unsettled.

Settling the Distress

With Judge James Redford approving the settlement on October 4, 2024, the financial compensation aims to address the distress experienced by those at the center. More than 50 children will receive roughly $60,000 each, while around 90 staff members will be compensated with an average of over $50,000, based on results from a trauma evaluation. Additionally, two dozen others will also receive smaller amounts. Wagner expressed that it was a step in the right direction, stating, “The state recognized that this was really a bad decision and harmed a lot of people.”

Official Responses

In a statement released by the state Department of Health and Human Services, spokesperson Lynn Sutfin expressed regret over the incident. She stated, “It was in the best interest of all involved parties to settle this matter,” acknowledging that the patients, staff, and the community were negatively affected by the event.

Looking Ahead

The Hawthorn Center has since been closed for reasons unrelated to the active shooter drill, but it leaves behind a vital lesson in crisis management and communication. The importance of a clear and well-communicated emergency plan cannot be understated. Drills are crucial in preparing for potential threats, but they must be conducted in a way that ensures everyone is informed and ready, not left in a state of panic.

Conclusion

The aftermath of the active shooter drill at the Hawthorn Center is a sobering reminder of the repercussions poor communication can have in serious situations. The approved settlement is one step towards helping victims recover and heal from what was meant to be a training exercise but turned into a traumatic experience. The focus now shifts to learning from this incident to ensure it never happens again, protecting the well-being of children and staff moving forward.