Catholic Schoolboy Suspended After Bringing So-Called 'Hit List' To Class

BLOOMFIELD HILLS (WWJ) - Officials at a catholic school in Bloomfield Hills are letting parents know a student was suspended after he showed up for class with a list of names of people he apparently intended to harm.

The incident happened last week at St. Hugo of the Hills School on East Hickory Grove and Opdyke roads, just east of Woodward Avenue.

A letter sent to parents said the eight grade boy composed a list of his friends, teachers and others schoolmates that was labeled in such a way as to imply that he wanted to harm those listed.

"Despite the fact that this list seemed from the outset as a highly inappropriate joke on the part of the student, our school had a very serious responsibility in responding to it," Principal Sr. Margaret VanVelzen said in the letter.

Administrators called police, who arrived at the school and after talking with the student, "determined that this matter did not pose a threat to other students or to the school," VanVelzen said.

A parent of one of the students named on the list exclusively tells WWJ that investigators later learned from classmates that the student in question had a pocketknife in his possession at the time. The boy was apparently showing the knife to other kids in his class.

VanVelzen said the student, who was not identified, has been suspended from St. Hugo.

"While out of privacy concerns I am limited in what I am able to say about the student involved in this particular matter, I can offer you my confidence that the appropriate steps have been and will continue to be taken to protect the safety of our students," she said.

Administrators have contacted parents of the children named on the list and notified listed staff members.

VanValzen said the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges children face in today's society.

"Our young people, sadly, are encouraged by aspects of popular culture to take the prospect of violence lightly, and even to joke about it themselves. This makes for perilous terrain for our young people on their paths to adulthood," she said. "Let us always remember, then, that they rely upon our example and guidance in order to internalize an ever-present, God-given respect for others."

Police say the incident remains under investigation.