NewsRegionMacomb County

Actions

Active shooter drill in Macomb County strikes a painful nerve among participants

Posted at 5:27 PM, Aug 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-08 17:27:38-04

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Hundreds of first responders, school officials, students and parents participated in an active shooter mock disaster at L’Anse Creuse High School and at the same time inside the Macomb County Command Center.

The drill was planned more than a year ago, but hits in the same week of active shooter cases in Dayton and El Paso.

Sixteen-year-old student Morgan Daughenbaugh was one of the many students who played a role in the drill.

She was “shot” and was being treated in the triage outside when she told 7 Action News, “It didn’t feel real at first but when I saw the guy and I heard the gunshots it felt real. I’m afraid I won’t be able to see my family ever again.”

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel watched from inside the command center. School surveillance cameras were taken over and controlled from here to watch it play out.

The cameras can be eyes inside before first responders arrive in a real event. But not all schools are on board with that takeover happening.

Hackel says, “It’s not about big brother watching teachers in the school. That has nothing to do with it. We only activate these things when there’s a live scenario.”

Active school shooters can be one of their own, a student. Early warning signs can help.

Erik Edoff is the Superintendent of L’Anse Creuse Schools who says, “we have some processes in place that are solid. We’re fortunate in a large district to have some of those extra resources.”

One mother who brought two of her kids to participate in the drill called it gut-wrenching to watch.

Loretta Martinez says, “even though it’s a mock drill my legs are shaking my heart is beating quickly. I watched my daughter walk out with wounds. I know my son is still in there.”