A Michigan judge has approved a $13 million settlement in response to a traumatic and unannounced active shooter drill at the Hawthorn Center, a psychiatric hospital for children in suburban Detroit. The drill, which took place on December 21, 2022, caused widespread panic among both children and staff, as many believed they were in the midst of a real-life emergency.
The incident began when an announcement was made over the hospital’s speaker system, falsely reporting that two armed men had entered the facility and fired shots. The untrue message set off chaos within the hospital, as staff and children alike scrambled for cover, locked doors, and even called 911.
“It was horrifying,” said Robin Wagner, the attorney representing the victims. “The hospital staff and children feared for their lives, with people hiding under desks and barricading doors in a desperate attempt to protect themselves.”
About 50 children were present at the facility at the time, each of whom will receive approximately $60,000 in compensation. Among the hospital’s staff, 90 individuals will receive more than $50,000 each, with the exact amount determined by trauma assessments. An additional two dozen individuals will receive smaller amounts as part of the settlement.
“This was a catastrophic mistake, and the state recognized the severe impact it had on both the children and the staff,” Wagner explained. “The harm was immeasurable, and this settlement is a necessary step toward accountability.”
Police response to the incident was swift, but they were caught off guard. Responding to the 911 calls, dozens of officers arrived at the hospital in full tactical gear, expecting a real active shooter scenario. No actual shooters were present, as the entire event was part of the unauthorized drill, and two individuals who had been instructed to act as shooters were quickly apprehended.
Law enforcement officials, unaware of the drill, arrived prepared for the worst, leading to a tense and chaotic scene. Many questions remain about how the drill was planned and why such an event was not properly communicated to authorities or the hospital’s staff.
Court of Claims Judge James Redford approved the settlement on October 4, with more than $3 million allocated to cover legal fees. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) expressed regret over the incident and the distress it caused, stating that the settlement was in the best interest of all parties involved.
“The DHHS acknowledges the severe impact this event had on our patients, staff, and the community,” said spokesperson Lynn Sutfin. “We deeply regret that our decision to conduct this drill led to widespread fear and trauma.”
The drill had been organized by the hospital’s safety director, who remains employed by the state. Following the incident, the Hawthorn Center was closed for reasons unrelated to the drill.
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