Warren Mott High School students grapple with false alarm incident

WARREN, Michigan (WXYZ) — In light of Saturday's events, classes and all events at Warren Mott High School have been canceled for Monday.

School district officials say they want to give students time to process what happened.

“Honestly, it was really scary,” said Mackenzie Forrester.

Mackenzie Forrester is a tenth grader at Warren Mott High School.

She was one of many students at the school's homecoming dance on Saturday night.

What was supposed to be a night of fun turned into a night of panic as children ran out of school because they thought they heard gunshots.

“As soon as I’m out the door, I pick up the phone and call my grandma. I almost cry,” said Forrester.

According to Warren police, the alleged gunshot sounds that people heard were actually balloons bursting.

“When I saw the horror on those kids' faces, I couldn't believe it,” Forrester said. “I couldn't believe they were balloons.”

This is the second time Mott students have faced a frightening situation that turned out to be a false alarm

Earlier this month, the school's lockdown system was accidentally triggered, causing some children to run out of school.

Parents like Melissa Gordon say their children have been calling them in a panic, telling them how scared they are. Gordon says Saturday was a similar story.

“This is the second situation in less than three weeks. Both were false alarms, but nonetheless it is affecting them, so we have to pick up the pieces. I held my daughter in my arms today, and she cried for hours,” said Gordon.

On Sunday, Gordon and other parents and students gathered at the high school to pray for this.

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Kori Glentzer is one of the parents who organized the prayer group.

“Give these children peace and courage and strength, because honestly they are just scared,” said Glentzer.

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Mackenzie Forrester says her focus, meanwhile, is on ensuring their safety in these frightening situations.

“I treat it like it's the original every time. I mean, I just don't take any chances,” Forrester added.

School district officials say when students return to school Tuesday, adults will be there to assist them with appropriate resources.