Heroic Prevention: Mass Shooting Foiled at Michigan High School Graduation — Two Suspects Arrested

A fight at a high school graduation in Michigan nearly escalated into a mass shooting, according to officials. The incident occurred during the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac (ATAP) graduation. Two suspects are now in custody.

On Friday, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard shared details about the event. Authorities had been searching for a 20-year-old named Jamarion Jaryante Hardiman, who was on probation for a weapons charge. He has since been located. Another 19-year-old suspect, whose name hasn’t been released, also has a history involving weapons. As of now, neither suspect has faced charges.

The trouble began around 6:40 PM when sheriff’s deputies responded to a fight at the United Wholesale Mortgage sports complex. A family member alerted officials about a threat made on Snapchat to “shoot up the crowd.” While the exact wording is unclear, witnesses reported it reflected an immediate danger.

Both suspects were identified as part of the fight. They were seen placing packages under cars just as authorities arrived. Thanks to surveillance footage from UWM’s security team, deputies found two loaded weapons on the scene, each equipped with 40-round magazines. These two firearms had the potential to inflict serious harm. Sheriff Bouchard emphasized, “You can only imagine the outcome of that.”

Among the weapons recovered was a pink, AR-style pistol hidden in a backpack and a Glock semi-automatic handgun. It remains unclear if the suspects had any connections to the school, but they had friends and family attending the graduation and seemed involved in local disputes.

Sheriff Bouchard noted that parties connected to the dispute are not cooperating with the investigation. Thankfully, the conflict inside the venue was quickly managed by staff and security. The school later assured the community that no one was harmed and the graduation proceeded smoothly.

Recent statistics show that threats and violence at school events are on the rise, with incidents doubling in certain areas over the past five years. Experts stress the importance of vigilance, especially in crowded public spaces. With events like these becoming more common, schools and communities are urged to heighten security measures and promote open communication to deter potential threats.

While the details of this case are still unfolding, it highlights the pressing need for community awareness and swift action against violence, especially in environments where safety should be a priority.



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