Benton Harbor Area Schools releases statement after multiple fights require police intervention

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Benton Harbor Area Schools today acknowledged a police presence at the school today while confirming to the community that there is no active shooter situation at any of the schools. 

Full statement from Benton Harbor Area Schools at 3 p.m.:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Benton Harbor Area Schools (BHAS) is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all of our students. We affirm that commitment by notifying parents of events that affect our school or community safety as we work in partnership to support the well-being of our students.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools administration was made aware of multiple physical altercations that took place at Benton Harbor High School. We immediately notified the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, and they are currently investigating the situation. Out of the abundance of safety, Benton Harbor High School was placed on a hard lockdown and students were carefully dismissed.

The safety and security of our students and staff remains our top priority. Based on the available information, there is no credible reason to believe there is an imminent danger to our schools. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement throughout this investigation to ensure the safety of our district.

School operations will continue as scheduled. If the situation changes, we will provide further updates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we navigate the situation.

At BHAS, the safety of our students is our utmost priority. As the Superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools, I want to assure you that we take all precautions to keep our students safe and secure. Please contact me if you have additional concerns about this incident. Thank you for supporting our students and school.

Sincerely,
Dr. Kelvin Butts
Superintendent
Benton Harbor Area Schools