Five students and a teacher at a Michigan high school were injured when a 16-year-old boy detonated an explosive device inside a classroom, according to school officials and police.
Michigan State Police said the incident on Monday at Newaygo High School was accidental.
The police were called to the school shortly before 9 am to report an explosion. Newaygo Public Schools said in a press release that a 16-year-old student “brought a homemade explosive device to the classroom”.
The teenager, four other students and a teacher were injured when the device detonated. The school was evacuated immediately and the day’s classes were canceled.
“All schools in Newaygo County were closed according to the county’s emergency operations plan until information was obtained that there were no more threats to students,” the district said.
The 16-year-old was taken to the hospital with moderate to severe injuries. His name has not been released.
The other four students suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital by their parents. The teacher also sought medical attention.
State police said the teenager was sitting at his desk in the classroom when the device accidentally went off. They are investigating why he brought the device to school, but said it looks like it was a “serious lack of judgment”.
“It was an isolated incident and I did not intend to hurt people, we do not believe it. It is under investigation, so we have new facts coming, but it was definitely not something he intended to happen,” the police said at a news conference.
A search warrant was executed at a home in Newaygo County on Monday night and “additional explosive devices have been found.” The state police said in a tweet that they were detonated safely.
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday for more information.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating what type of explosive material was used in the device that exploded at the school.
