Northville Township, Michigan, August 31, 2025
News Summary
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will pay $13 million to settle lawsuits arising from a distressing active shooter drill at the Hawthorn Center. Conducted without prior notice in December 2022, the drill caused panic among patients and staff, who believed they were in a real active shooter situation. The settlement, approved by a judge, aims to compensate those affected while MDHHS plans to update its emergency operation policies to prevent future incidents.
Northville Township, Michigan – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has agreed to pay $13 million to settle lawsuits stemming from a controversial active shooter drill conducted at the Hawthorn Center, a child psychiatric hospital. This settlement comes after significant distress was caused to both patients and staff during an unannounced drill held in December 2022.
During the drill, which took place without warning, most individuals at the facility, including children, were not made aware that it was merely a simulation. Two employees participating as intruders led to a highly alarming situation, as heavily armed police responded to emergency 911 calls placed by frightened staff and patients who believed they were facing a genuine life-threatening situation.
The response to the drill was panicked and chaotic. Staff and patients were understandably traumatized by the experience, particularly a then-11-year-old boy and a then-14-year-old girl, who suffered severe emotional distress. During the event, announcements over the PA system falsely indicated that there were armed intruders in the building, heightening the fear and panic among everyone present. Adults resorted to barricading themselves and patients using furniture, convinced that they were in imminent danger.
Additionally, the drill had not been communicated to local law enforcement, which resulted in a massive emergency response involving over 50 police vehicles. When officers arrived, they treated the employees dressed as intruders as criminals, leading to their handcuffing while still armed.
The recent class-action settlement was approved by Michigan Court of Claims Judge Robert Redford, with approximately $9 million designated for those directly affected among the patients and staff. Despite the financial settlement, the MDHHS did not admit any wrongdoing or legal liability; however, the department viewed settling as a necessary step towards moving on from the incident.
Following the backlash from this event, the MDHHS has pledged to update its emergency operation policies. Investigations indicated insufficient awareness among staff regarding the drill, pointing to significant lapses in planning and preparation from the MDHHS prior to the event. Criticisms abound regarding the ethics and safety of conducting such drills without informing all involved parties, raising concerns over the psychological impact on vulnerable individuals within the care facility.
In conclusion, the settlements and their implications serve as a reminder of the critical importance of proper communication and preparation in emergency training scenarios, especially in settings where individuals may already be facing mental health challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the active shooter drill about at the Hawthorn Center?
The drill was an unannounced exercise simulating an active shooter scenario, but it was executed without informing most patients and staff, causing severe panic.
How much is the settlement amount and why is it being paid?
MDHHS is paying $13 million in settlement for the lawsuits filed by affected patients and employees due to the distress caused by the drill.
What consequences followed the drill?
Investigations revealed there were serious lapses in communication and planning from MDHHS, resulting in significant trauma for patients and staff.
Was any wrongdoing admitted by the MDHHS?
MDHHS denied any wrongdoing or legal liability but acknowledged the importance of settling for the sake of moving forward.
What changes are expected from MDHHS after the incident?
MDHHS has committed to updating its emergency operation policies to prevent future occurrences of this nature.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Settlement Amount | $13 million |
| Impact of the Drill | Severe trauma experienced by patients and staff |
| Emergency Response | Over 50 police vehicles dispatched without prior notification |
| Duration of the Drill | Conducted in December 2022 |
| Policy Changes | MDHHS to update emergency operation policies |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Michigan Lawmaker Advocates for Change in Child Mental Health Services
Michigan Senator Urges Action For Children’s Mental Health Hospital
Northville Schools Prioritize Student Health with New Clinics
Investigation Launched in Michigan Over Mental Health Services for Adults
Detroit Judge Approves $13 Million Settlement for Chaotic Active Shooter Drill at Psychiatric Hospital
Additional Resources
- Harness Racing Update
- Law Firm Newswire
- Click On Detroit
- The Washington Post
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Wikipedia: Active shooter
- Google Search: Active shooter training exercises
- Google Scholar: Active shooter drills
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Emergency drills
- Google News: Active shooter drill settlement
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
