Averted School Violence Database Case Highlight: Michigan Tipline Prevents Attack

ASV Database Case Highlight: Michigan Tipline Prevents Attack

The Averted School Violence Project (ASV) provides a secure, access-controlled platform for school personnel, law enforcement officers, school resource officers (SROs), and mental health professionals to confidentially submit cases. Following a review process, cases are then published to the database where users can leverage these real-world examples to inform strategy and training to prevent violence and keep our schools safe. 

One such case submitted to the ASV database, highlights the critical role of vigilance, timely intervention, and trusted relationships in averting a potential tragedy. 

Lessons Learned: A Real-Life Case Study from the ASV Database 

At a Michigan high school, a student began soliciting peers for a firearm. During lunch, the student not only repeated these requests but also shared a list of individuals he intended to target before turning the weapon on himself. 

Concerned classmates took action, calling the state’s school safety tip line, OK2SAY, to report the alarming statements. The principal and school resource officer were immediately notified, prompting an investigation. The student was sent home with a parent while law enforcement gathered more information. Later, the student was arrested at his home and placed in the County Juvenile Center. 

This case highlights several key takeaways: 

• The Power of Student Voice and Reporting: The courage of students who spoke up and reported what they heard was critical in stopping a potential tragedy. Their empowerment and decision to use the state tip line demonstrates the importance of awareness, education, and reinforcing multiple pathways for reporting concerns. 

• The Role of SROs and School Leadership: The swift coordination between the principal, SRO, and law enforcement ensured that the student was identified and removed from the school environment quickly, prioritizing safety for all. 

• The Value of Established Safety Systems: The effectiveness of the OK2SAY tip line underscores the need for accessible, trusted reporting mechanisms. When paired with strong partnerships between schools and law enforcement, these systems make timely intervention possible. 

By empowering students to speak up, ensuring strong relationships with SROs and school leaders, and establishing effective reporting systems, schools can create safer environments and prevent threats from escalating into acts of violence. 

The Enhanced ASV Database and Website Are Live! 

The ASV Project aims to serve as a vital resource for school safety planning teams and SROs. Its database features accounts of both completed and averted violence, because lessons can be learned from both acts of violence that were carried out and those that were prevented. Every averted attack represents not only a success story, but a learning opportunity.  

When we examine what nearly happened, and how it was stopped, we gain critical insight into how to prevent similar incidents in the future, including: 

• How schools can identify behavioral warning signs  

• The importance of timely communication and collaboration  

• The value of cultivating a culture where students feel safe to speak up  

• Improvement of emergency response and threat assessment protocols  

  
  

Our ultimate goal is prevention through preparedness, not fear. By learning from what didn’t happen, we build stronger systems to keep our schools safe. Our fully revamped website and optimized database with increased functionality will reinforce our dedication to these goals. We truly hope that you will use it, contribute to it, and help us protect every school, every student, and every future through the power of prevention. 

Register for access to the ASV database here!