A violent confrontation at Cambridge Alternative High School in Garden City, Michigan, on Tuesday morning left several injured after a student brought a knife to school. In a letter sent to families following the incident, Dr. Stanley Szczotka, director of student services, described how one student brandished a knife during a student altercation, which led to the school being placed on lockdown in accordance with the Garden City Schools' Emergency Operations Plan, CBS News Detroit reported.
Garden City Police Department was quick to respond, with both school resource and patrol officers arriving at the scene. "Kids can’t go to school and they have to be afraid, you know, something might happen," expressed Joann Solano-Vaseau, a grandparent of a student, revealing the underlying tension within the community. Despite the presence of the knife, there were no stabbings, although one student and a staff member were injured. According to ClickOnDetroit, a hall monitor, who is also a retired officer, was involved in breaking up the fight and sustained a minor injury.
The incident has led to the arrest of two students, with one requiring hospitalization. Both students involved in the fight were taken into custody, and classes resumed after officials declared there was no further threat to the public. In an interview, Garden City Police indicated that the altercation may have stemmed from an earlier conflict between the two students. A student was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, but is expected to make a full recovery, WXYZ detailed.
In the wake of the altercation, the school district is using this incident as a chance to remind the community to report any signs of conflict among students. A message to Cambridge families encouraged notification through the Michigan State Police’s OK2SAY student safety program, with options to text, call, or email tips on heated exchanges that could escalate. The district placed a focus on the swift de-escalation efforts by staff and the Garden City Police Department, ensuring the safety of students and staff remained paramount as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
