Michigan student uses staff device to falsely report shooting in school, officials say

DETROIT — Police and school officials in Macomb Township are trying to understand how a middle school student was able to obtain a staff communication device to falsely report a shooting.

On Thursday around 1:40 p.m., staff initiated a lockdown after a report someone has been shot in the hallway of Clintondale Middle School, police said in a statement.

A school resource officer for Clintondale School District on site at the high school learned of the alleged threat and was told by the middle school principal that the hallways and staircases there were checked after getting the students and staff to safety, according to the release.

After five minutes, the lockdown was lifted at both the high school and middle school after officials determined the threat was false, investigators reported.

Clinton Township Police said they are investigating the matter and asking for individuals with information to come forward and contact the department criminal investigation division at (586) 493-7839.

Several Michigan school districts have been hit by threats forcing police and school staff to respond. Prosecutors have charged students in some cases with making online school threats.

Last month, Oxford Community Schools canceled classes at Oxford High School after a swatting incident was reported there. An unknown caller from the Netherlands had reported a person in a bathroom with an AK-47-type automatic rifle and pipe bomb threatened to shoot everyone and detonate the device.

Also last month, the Bloomfield Township Police Department responded to a swatting threat towards Bloomfield Hills High School via the 988 suicide and crisis hotline. Police notified Bloomfield Hills Schools immediately and high school administrators activated a shelter in place order.

In September, a threatening TikTok prompted Armada Area Schools to cancel classes.

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