GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The scene outside of Gerald R. Ford Academic Center in Grand Rapids Wednesday morning was enough to make any parent fear the worst.
Grand Rapids police were called to the school shortly after classes began on initial reports that a potentially armed man was trying to enter the school building on Madison Avenue near Franklin Street SE.
The man had been involved in a fight near the campus, which had already caused administrators to put the school on lockdown. When the man ran toward the building, things escalated quickly. Police were at the school with long guns drawn.
As news spread about what was happening parents began showing up at the scene concerned for their children’s safety.
Once the incident was resolved, police determined that the suspect was actually trying to get away from the fight scene. He was taken to the hospital and at least two others were seen being handcuffed by officers and placed into police cruisers. None of the people involved had a gun, police said.
Grand Rapids Public Schools leaders said the situation led them to put into action what they practice. GRPS Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs John Helmholdt said he couldn’t have been more proud of how the staff responded.
“We have experience in handling these situations and we have the staff that know what to do in the time of a crisis like that,” Helmholdt told 24 Hour News 8. "I’m proud of how we handled it.”
FULL STORY: WOOD TV