What began as a graduation day fight at a Pontiac charter school nearly became a mass shooting, but swift action by law enforcement and alert community members prevented what could have been a devastating tragedy. Two men are now in custody after authorities discovered a heavily armed plot to shoot up the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac graduation ceremony on June 3.
The Plot Unfolds
According to ABC News, Oakland County Sheriff's deputies responded to the United Wholesale Mortgage Sports Complex around 6:40 p.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of a fight during the graduation ceremony. While breaking up the altercation, a family member approached deputies with crucial information: they had seen a threat on Snapchat about shooting up the graduation ceremony. This tip proved to be the turning point that prevented potential catastrophe.
Working with UWM's security team, as reported by NBC News, authorities reviewed security footage that showed two individuals involved in the fight placing packages underneath vehicles in the parking lot. The packages contained two fully-loaded firearms—each equipped with 40-round magazines, providing 80 rounds of potential firepower without reloading.
The Suspects and Weapons
Authorities identified the suspects as 19-year-old Deahveon Shamar-James Whaley and 20-year-old Jamarion Jaryante Hardiman, both Pontiac residents. Click on Detroit reports that Hardiman was on probation for a previous weapons offense, and both suspects have criminal histories involving weapons and violence.
The weapons recovered included a pink AR-style pistol and a Glock handgun, both unregistered and loaded with high-capacity magazines. Sheriff Michael Bouchard emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that according to The Detroit News, "Just those two weapons, without changing magazines, had 80 rounds of potential firepower. Shooting into a graduation, you can only imagine the outcome of that."
Connection to the Community
Neither suspect attended the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac, but both had friends and family present at the graduation ceremony. FOX 2 Detroit reports that the men appeared to have "ongoing disputes with individuals in the community" and were reportedly seeking retaliation against others in attendance.
Oakland County's Troubled History with School Violence
This thwarted attack carries particular weight in Oakland County, which is still recovering from the Oxford High School shooting that occurred less than 20 miles away in November 2021. According to Wikipedia, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley killed four students and wounded seven others, including a teacher, in an attack that shocked the community and resulted in unprecedented charges against the shooter's parents.
The Oxford shooting has cast a long shadow over the region's approach to school safety. CNN reported that Crumbley was sentenced to life without parole in December 2023 after pleading guilty to terrorism charges—a rare conviction in state court that emphasized the lasting trauma inflicted on the entire Oxford community.
Recent Surge in School Threats
Oakland County has experienced multiple school-related threats in recent months. The Detroit News reported in September 2024 that three Oakland County teens were charged with making online school threats, with Sheriff Bouchard stating that investigating "five potential or real threats in five days is completely unacceptable and traumatizing to the community."
Additionally, Hoodline reported just two weeks ago that a 17-year-old Pontiac teen was arrested for a Snapchat threat against a Lake Orion High School student, after previously being caught with weapons on school grounds.
The Schools and Venue
The Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac is a K-12 charter school serving 818 students with a focus on individualized learning experiences. U.S. News reports that 99% of students are minorities and 85% are economically disadvantaged, reflecting the school's role serving Pontiac's diverse community.
The graduation was held at the United Wholesale Mortgage Sports Complex, a 378,400-square-foot facility that UWM purchased for $23.3 million in 2020. Crain's Detroit Business reported that the company invested an additional $10 million in renovations to provide free community access, particularly for Pontiac youth.
Quick Response Minimized Disruption
Despite the serious nature of the threat, school officials managed to continue the ceremony with minimal disruption. According to Click on Detroit, Septembra Williams, superintendent of the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac, stated that the graduation was only disrupted for two minutes and was completed successfully, with the goal being "to make sure the students weren't infringed upon based on the incident outside."
Law Enforcement Response and Community Impact
Sheriff Bouchard praised the collaborative effort that prevented the attack, highlighting the importance of community vigilance. The Daily Wire reported that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated her "office has been in touch with local officials" and expressed gratitude "to first responders for acting fast and saving lives in Pontiac."
The sheriff emphasized the critical role of community reporting, noting that while someone had seen the threatening Snapchat post, as ABC 7 reported, deputies "didn't hear about it until after we had arrived on the scene" to respond to the fight.
Legal Implications
Both suspects are expected to face serious charges, though formal arraignments had not occurred as of Friday afternoon. Given Michigan's experience with the Oxford case, prosecutors may pursue terrorism charges similar to those filed against Ethan Crumbley. ABC News noted that Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has previously stated such charges reflect the broader trauma inflicted on entire communities, not just direct victims.
Broader Context of School Safety
This incident occurs against a backdrop of declining overall violent crime in Oakland County, even as school-specific threats persist. The Oaklandside reported that violent crime has been declining in Oakland and nationwide in 2024, with the Major Cities Chiefs Association reporting a 17% decrease in homicides among America's biggest cities.
However, FOX 2 Detroit reported that Oakland County experienced four school threats in a single week in September 2024, highlighting the ongoing challenge of school safety in the post-Oxford era.
