Your Tax Dollars at Work
State pays $13M settlement for unannounced active shooter drill at Northville Township psychiatric children’s hospital
Someone Missed the Memo
NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The state has agreed to pay $13 million to patients and staff of a state child psychiatric hospital who say they were terrorized by an unannounced active shooter drill that gained national attention.
The Hawthorn Center was a state-run psychiatric hospital for children in Northville Township, Michigan (the facility has since closed). On Dec. 21, 2022, the center conducted an active shooter drill. Patients and most of the staff were not informed ahead of time. Four law enforcement agencies who responded to panicked 911 calls from inside the hospital weren’t notified of the drill, either and responded as if the threat was real.
When patients and employees saw dozens of heavily armed police outside the psych hospital, they were convinced armed intruders were roaming their halls. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which operated the Hawthorn Center, has not admitted to any wrongdoing. The Hawthorn Center employee who planned the drill continues to work for MDHHS. Hawthorn Center patients and staff have been relocated to Walter Reuther State Psychiatric Hospital in Westland.
Have your rights been violated?
Have your driving priviledges been revoked?
Has your professional license been suspended?
Second Amendment rights taken away?
Have you been charged with a crime?
Call our office to see if we can help
Komorn Law 248-357-2550
All investigative reports:
- Unannounced ‘active shooter’ drill at psychiatric hospital sparks panic in Northville Township
- Former employees, parent of patient speak out about unannounced Hawthorn Center active shooter drill
- Body cam video shows police response, panic in ‘active shooter’ drill at Michigan psych hospital for kids
- Employee held at gunpoint during unannounced active shooter drill at Michigan psych hospital files lawsuit
- Emails give insight into response after active shooter drill at Michigan psych hospital for kids
- Hear from employee who says kids at psychiatric hospital weren’t allowed outside for months
Winning the (t)error lottery

Related Articles
Michigan Probationers Allowed Medical Marijuana
Yea. We did that...What it is supposed to beOn February 11, 2021, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that judges cannot prohibit individuals on probation from using medical marijuana if they are registered patients under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA)....
Public Defenders in Michigan – Qualifications and What They Do
Note: This is what they are supposed to do. Whether they give a damn about you and the outcome is up to the individual attorneyWhat it is supposed to beIn Michigan, public defenders play a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing legal representation to...
New Michigan Laws Going Into Effect 2025
Making laws as fast as possible. Look over here...Not over there.Some of Michigan's new laws in 2025 include minimum wage increases, paid sick time, and automatic voter registration. Minimum wage The minimum wage in Michigan increased to $10.56 per hour on January 1,...
Whitmer’s $3B plan to fix Michigan’s roads calls for more taxes
Same Thing - Different DayWhitmer's $3B plan to fix Michigan roads calls for more corporate, marijuana taxes, taxes at the pump and you can just imagine the ones you don't know about.Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has introduced a comprehensive three billion...
More Posts

23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and your data is?
As of Friday 3/28/25, the firm’s shares were worth less than a dollar.If you are charged with a crime you're part of the State of Michigan family now. Call us - Because you don't want to be a part of that family. Komorn Law (248) 357-2550Genetic testing service...

Judge finds marijuana testing facilities run by ex-cops violated testing results
Viridis Laboratories has faced ongoing allegations of exaggerating THC levels while minimizing the potential risks associated with cannabis.If you are charged with a crime you're part of the State of Michigan family now. Call us - Because you don't want to be a part...

Domestic Violence Conviction Prohibits Gun Ownership
No Second Amendment Rights For YouIf you are charged with a crime you're part of the State of Michigan family now. Call us - Because you don't want to be a part of that family. Komorn Law (248) 357-2550A federal judge in Michigan has ruled that a man with a prior...

Update on Michigan’s Sick Time Act (Small Business Compliance)
Small Business Compliance Accrual Method: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick time forevery 30 hours worked, and unused paid sick time rolls over upto 72 hours, or 40 for a small business. Employers may limit theuse of earned sick time to 72 hours, or 40 for a small...

What Are Your Rights Before And After Arrest?
What are your rights before and after arrest?Generally, police require a search warrant to lawfully enter any private premises or to search electronic devices such as your phone or computer. If the police do not possess a search warrant, you are under no obligation to...

Drones – What Drones? Update
Drone story update January 28, 2025 NJ drones 'were authorized to be flown by FAA for research,' Donald Trump says The mysterious drones that captivated New Jersey late last year were not enemy craft, but instead were authorized by the FAA, President Donald Trump said...

If I renounce my US citizenship can I get it back?
Venezuela or Bust If I renounce my U.S. citizenship can I get it back?Renouncing U.S. citizenship is a serious legal action. It involves voluntarily giving up your status as a U.S. citizen, usually by signing an oath of renunciation at a U.S. embassy or consulate...

New Laws in Effect for Michigan in 2025
Some laws in effect in 2025 "Enacted by the People of Michigan" Here we go...Minimum wage Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act - Michigan's minimum wage will increase twice during 2025, per a 2018 Supreme Court ruling. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the standard minimum...

The Police Took Your Cellphone – Now What?
Everything you have and say will be evidence used against you. The Police took your cellphone - Now what?After your arrest, you arrive at the police station where you go through the booking process, and your cellphone is taken from you. Once you are released, your...

Feeling Bullied? Here’s Michigan’s Anti Bullying Laws.
Michigan Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies Components of State Anti-Bullying Laws and Regulations How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in Michigan anti-bullying laws and regulations? Michigan anti-bullying laws and regulations include the following...