A Clintondale Middle School student’s prank on Thursday afternoon caused school lockdowns and traffic jams around several schools in various parts of Macomb County, according to police and school officials.

Authorities continue to work to identify the student who caused the chaos.

Authorities in Clinton County said an unidentified student apparently grabbed an administrator’s walkie-talkie and shouted something to the effect of “shots fired” in the hallway. The message was broadcast to teachers and staff at Clintondale Middle School on Little Mack Boulevard near 15 Mile Road around 1:40 p.m.

School officials imposed a quarantine, and a Clinton County police resource officer at the high school adjacent to the Middle School began checking the schools’ hallways and stairwells, along with principal Daniel Berry.

“Approximately five minutes later, both the high school and middle school determined that the report was inaccurate and lifted the quarantine,” Detective Brandon Blake said in a news release.

Clintondale officials later lifted the lockdown.

Meanwhile, other school districts, including Mount Clemens and Anchor Bay, have also quarantined their schools.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to Mount Clemens High School for a report of a possible shooting. When deputies arrived, staff informed them that the lockdown was merely a precautionary move. Deputies searched the school and found no signs of disturbance, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

It was reported that there were temporary traffic disruptions on Cass Boulevard and other streets due to the large number of patrol auxiliary vehicles at the school.

Officials with the Anchor Bay School District said students at Lottie, Nadrett and Sugarbush elementary schools were not allowed out for recess due to a “police situation” in Mount Clemens.

Investigators said they did not know how the student gained access to the handheld radio at Clintondale schools.

Clintondale Public Schools initiated a lockdown due to a “potential threat” at the Middle School, Superintendent Ken Janczarek said in a letter to Clintondale parents and guardians.

“Please be assured that at no time is there any immediate danger to students or staff at the Upper Secondary School,” Janczarek said in his letter. “The lockdown was put in place as a precautionary measure and all students and staff followed our established safety protocols to ensure everyone remained safe.”

Janczark advised parents not to call or show up to the school during the lockdown, as this could “adversely impact emergency operations.” He said the district will share more updates with parents as information becomes available.

“I understand that situations like this can be disruptive, but please know that our school is equipped and prepared to handle these types of events,” the superintendent said in his letter.

The Clintondale matter is being investigated by Detective Timothy Victor and school officials. If someone
Anyone with more information about the student who made the statement on the radio is asked to call the Clinton County Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit at 586-493-7839 and provide references.
case 24-40214.