Michigan Prom Canceled Just One Hour Before It Was Set To Begin

Imagine getting all dressed up for prom, taking pictures with your friends, maybe even heading to the school parking lot, only to find out the whole thing is canceled an hour before it starts.

That's exactly what happened Tuesday night at Clintondale High School in Macomb County.

Why Clintondale High School Canceled Prom

School officials say they received word through Michigan's OK2SAY tip line that a student may have been planning to bring a firearm to prom. The tip came in around 4:48 p.m., and with prom scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., administrators had very little time to make a decision.

READ MORE: New Pine Knob Sign Has Some People Excited And Others Upset

Students were already gathering when the announcement came down. Police helped clear the parking lot, and while there was some frustration from students, it's hard to blame them. Prom is one of those events high school students look forward to for years.

Why School Leaders Chose Safety First in Prom Threat

Still, school leaders say the potential risk was simply too great to ignore, according to MLive.

Get our free mobile app

The district classified the tip as a possible planned school attack and says officials weighed every option before making the decision to cancel the event. Clinton Township Police Department says the school made the final call, though law enforcement supported the decision.

Police Continue Investigating The Incident

At this point, investigators have not released information about any suspect, and both the school resource officer and local police continue to investigate what happened.

READ MORE: 18-Year-Old Killed in Lapeer County Crash

It's disappointing for students and families, no question. But it also highlights something important. Programs like OK2SAY exist for situations exactly like this. Whether the threat turns out to be credible or not, officials would rather deal with disappointed students than take a chance with student safety.

And honestly, that's probably a decision most parents can understand.