Current:Home > MyMichigan is paying $13M after shooter drill terrified psychiatric hospital for kids -DollarDynamic
Michigan is paying $13M after shooter drill terrified psychiatric hospital for kids
View
Date:2025-04-14 07:55:23
DETROIT (AP) — A judge has approved a $13 million settlement in a lawsuit over an unannounced active shooter drill at a Michigan psychiatric hospital for children, an event that terrified kids and staff and caused them to scramble for cover, text family and urgently call 911.
Someone at the front desk declared through a speaker system that two armed men were inside the state-run Hawthorn Center in suburban Detroit and that shots were fired, attorney Robin Wagner said.
It wasn’t true, but the message on Dec. 21, 2022, set off a frenzy.
“It was horrifying,” Wagner said Tuesday.
“Everyone went into, ‘Oh my God. This is the worst day of my life,’ ” she said. “People were hiding under their desks. They were barricading the doors, trying to figure out how to protect the children.”
Fifty children at the hospital each will receive roughly $60,000. Among staff, 90 people will receive an average of more than $50,000, depending on their score on a trauma exam, Wagner said. Two dozen others will get smaller amounts.
“The state recognized that this was really a bad decision and harmed a lot of people,” she said of the drill.
Police apparently didn’t know anything about a drill. Dozens of officers responding to 911 calls showed up at Hawthorn Center with body armor and high-powered weapons, anticipating the worst.
Two people who were told to pose as shooters were captured, Wagner said. They were not armed.
Court of Claims Judge James Redford approved the settlement on Oct. 4, records show. More than $3 million will go to attorneys in the case.
The state Department of Health and Human Services “felt it was in the best interest of all involved parties to settle this matter,” spokesperson Lynn Sutfin said Tuesday.
“We regret that our patients, staff and community were negatively affected by the unfortunate incident in December 2022,” she said.
Wagner said the drill was organized by the Hawthorn Center’s safety director, who still works for the state. The hospital was subsequently closed for reasons unrelated to what happened.
___
Follow Ed White at https://twitter.com/edwritez
veryGood! (63846)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- How South Carolina's Dawn Staley forged her championship legacy after heartbreak of 1991
- Why does South Carolina's Dawn Staley collect confetti? Tradition started in 2015
- One word describes South Carolina after national championship vs. Iowa: Dynasty
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- New Jersey officials drop appeal of judge’s order to redraw Democratic primary ballot
- Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes Are Calling Dibs on a Date Night at CMT Music Awards
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Shuffleboard
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Full transcript of Face the Nation, April 7, 2024
Ranking
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- National Beer Day 2024: Buffalo Wild Wings, Taco Bell Cantina among spots with deals
- Purdue's Matt Painter has been one of best coaches of his generation win or lose vs. UConn
- Will the solar eclipse affect animals? Veterinarians share pet safety tips for the 2024 show
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Purdue powers its way into NCAA March Madness title game, beating N.C. State 63-50
- Driver flees after California solo car crash kills 9-year-old girl, critically injures 4 others
- WrestleMania 40 live results: Night 2 WWE match card, start time, how to stream and more
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Tiera Kennedy Shares “Crazy” Experience Working With Beyoncé on Cowboy Carter
WrestleMania 40 live results: Night 2 WWE match card, start time, how to stream and more
'American Idol' recap: Katy Perry declares her 'favorite' top 24 contestant
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
What happens during a solar eclipse? Experts explain the awe-inspiring phenomena to expect on April 8
Drake Bell Defends Josh Peck From “Attack” After Quiet on Set
'Quiet on Set' new episode: Former 'All That' actor Shane Lyons says Brian Peck made 'passes' at him