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A Black hospital worker is filing a lawsuit after he ended up in handcuffs during an active shooter drill where he was told to pose as a gunman.
The incident unfolded in December 2022 at Hawthorn Center, a state-run psychiatric hospital for children in Northville Township, Michigan, Local4 News reports. The center held an active shooter drill unannounced to its patients and most of its staff.
On the morning of the drill, Brandon Woodruff, the plaintiff in the suit, said he was instructed by his supervisor, Derek Leppek, to join one of his white male colleagues in walking through the center and posing as intruders. Leppek told Woodruff and his co-worker to make sure other employees and children were properly hidden and barricaded during the drill.
The pair, unarmed, dressed in winter clothes and moved toward the main building of Hawthorn Center before two announcements were made. The first stated there were active intruders in the building. The second announcement came through the overhead system: “Two active intruders, one Caucasian male, one African American male, armed with AR 15s, shots fired.”
Unaware that the announcement was a drill, fear and panic filled the center. Police were also not previously notified that a drill was taking place. 911 calls came in reporting active shooters, prompting over 20 police officers to rush to the center.
According to his lawsuit, Woodruff was unaware that people in the building had no prior knowledge of the drill. The hospital worker and his colleague were met by police officers wielding tactical weapons and heavy gear.
After officers yelled at them to get on the ground, Woodruff lay face down and was handcuffed for at least 30 minutes while police sorted out the situation, according to the suit. In fear for his life, Woodruff used his smartwatch to call his wife so she could hear what he believed was his final moments.
Later that day, hospital director Victoria Petti released an email to staff, apologizing for the confusion.
“This morning an active intruder alert was announced on the overhead system. Although this was a drill it was not announced as such. Understandably, many in the building became frightened and some contacted 911. A tactical team responded to these calls and arrived armed and in full gear. I want to convey how deeply sorry I am that this occurred and for the stress it’s caused. I spoke with many of you today and hope to reach others in the next few days. I know this has touched you all in different ways,” the email read, according to the suit.
Woodstruff's case is the latest in a string of lawsuits filed against the state over the incident.
“I couldn’t stop crying, tears rolling down my eyes, I couldn’t stop shaking, I was trembling uncontrollably,” one employee told local outlets. “It’s created anxiety, trouble sleeping. Every time this is mentioned, it’s like reliving the event.”
Woodruff himself said he is still dealing with anxiety, fear, depression, and suicidal ideation following the incident, according to his suit. He has been unable to obtain treatment and has had to return to work, a place that triggers panic attacks and anxiety.
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