Grand Rapids Public Schools issued the following announcement on Dec 8.
We are writing to inform you about two separate incidents that occurred last night during the basketball game at Ottawa Hills High School.
In the third quarter of the basketball game, the Grand Rapids Police Department informed us that shots were fired in the neighborhood near Ottawa Hills High School, and we were asked to keep event-goers inside the building until cleared for release. According to the Grand Rapids Police Department press release today, police cleared the area in and around the school, and evidence of a shooting was located on Rosewood Avenue SE, including damaged cars and homes. No injuries from the shooting have been discovered. Detectives are encouraging anyone with information related to the shooting to contact investigators directly at 616-456-3380 or anonymously through Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org.
There was also a separate situation with seconds to go at the end of the game where several event-goers started fighting inside the gymnasium resulting in the early conclusion of the event. All precautionary safety measures were in place including public safety personnel and metal detectors. Contrary to rumors, there was no shooting inside or on school property.
The fighting that took place during last night’s game is completely out of line with our district’s expectation for the behavior of event-goers at our athletic events. Our Public Safety Department is working with the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) to investigate the fights and will follow our Student Policy Handbook and all appropriate laws regarding disciplinary and legal action.
We encourage parents to use this as an opportunity to discuss with your child the importance of telling an adult right away if ever they feel threatened at school or in the community. Also, please remind them that if they have information regarding the events that took place last night or any threats or acts of violence at school or school related events to contact our Public Safety Department at 616-819-2100, the Grand Rapids Police Department or Silent Observer.
Sincerely,
Larry D. Johnson
Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Public Safety and School Security
Original source can be found here.
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