WARREN (WWJ) A threat ended Friday night’s student football game between Warren Mott and Cousino high schools in the fourth quarter and forced an evacuation of the stadium, school officials said.
In a statement on Facebook; Superintendent John Bernia Jr. of Warren Consolidated Schools said a Cousino student made a “series of inappropriate comments” to a Warren Mott administrator.
Bernia said police asked the student to leave the stadium, and he refused. Warren Mott administrators referred the incident to local police—who were already stationed at the game. It took place at Mott, at 12 Mile and Ryan, on Friday evening (10/4).
When he refused to leave; Warren Police officers arrested him, handcuffed him and escorted him from the stadium.
“In these instances, we do ask the police to charge individuals and follow our Student Code of Conduct,” Bernia said.
During this time; someone also called Warren Police and told officers a student who had left the game was planning to return with a gun. Police believed the threat to be credible and, “out of an abundance of caution, made the decision to end the football game and clear the stadium,” according to Bernia.
Bernia said police initially believed the threat that inspired the 911 call and the arrest of the Cousino student were separate incidents, involving two different people. However, further investigation revealed the descriptions of the student who allegedly posed a threat and the arrested student do match.
“The police have informed us there is no evidence the student who was arrested was in possession of a firearm, nor were any firearms discovered in our stadium last night,” Bernia said in his statement, adding that police and school administrators did not witness any physical fighting at the game.
Bernia said information is circling on social media from people who were at the game, claiming they saw “dangerous objects.” Warren Consolidated Schools said they are passing that information on to law enforcement. However, they’re asking any witnesses to speak directly to Warren Police.
The school district continues to share video footage, provide space for the investigation and cooperate with law enforcement, Bernia said.
He called this incident “disappointing.”
“Our community was together and truly enjoying the experience of watching our students compete and perform,” Bernia said. “It’s a shame we did not get to see the final six minutes of what had become a very competitive football game.”
Two weeks ago, police were called to Warren Mott High School’s Homecoming dance for reports of shots fired. Further investigation revealed students had mistaken the sounds of balloons popping for gunshots—and there had been no shooting. Students began circling a petition to cancel school the following Monday to recover from the homecoming scare. According to a letter from Bernia to families, someone posted a threat in response to that petition. School and all extra-curricular activities were cancelled for the day while Warren Police investigated the threat.
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