Jamarion Jaryante Hardiman and Unnamed 19-Year-Old Suspectin: Family Member’s Last-Minute Snapchat Tip Helps Law Enforcement Discover Hidden Loaded Firearms and Prevent Possible Attack at Pontiac Graduation Ceremony

A sense of joy and accomplishment nearly turned into a nightmare at a Pontiac high school graduation when a last-minute tip from a concerned family member revealed a chilling social media threat. What should have been a proud and celebratory milestone for graduating students and their families instead became a harrowing moment of crisis narrowly averted by the quick action of one vigilant individual and responsive law enforcement.

Threat Emerges on Social Media

Just hours before the graduation ceremony for students of the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac (ATAP), a disturbing message surfaced on Snapchat. The post made a clear and alarming threat directed toward the event, explicitly indicating an intent to “shoot up the graduation.” The post was discovered by a family member of one of the students, who immediately notified authorities after becoming alarmed by its content.

The timing of the message and its graphic implications caused significant concern for the safety of the hundreds of people expected to attend the event. School staff, families, and students gathered for what was intended to be a celebration of educational achievement were instead unknowingly at the center of a potentially catastrophic scenario.

Law Enforcement Responds Swiftly

Upon receiving the tip, officers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the United Wholesale Mortgage Sports Complex, where the graduation was scheduled to take place. The initial dispatch to the scene was related to a physical altercation among attendees, but upon arrival, deputies were informed about the Snapchat threat. This new information immediately shifted the deputies’ focus to assessing a more serious and potentially dangerous situation.

Security teams and sheriff’s deputies quickly reviewed surveillance footage from the facility, looking for any suspicious activity that might corroborate the reported threat. Their investigation revealed two individuals placing unidentified items beneath parked vehicles in the lot. The individuals then quickly left the scene, behavior that raised further suspicion.

Discovery of Firearms and Ammunition

Acting on the footage and information provided by the tipster, law enforcement conducted a careful search of the area. Underneath two vehicles, deputies discovered two packages. Upon inspection, these were found to contain loaded firearms: an AR-style pistol with a high-capacity 40-round drum magazine and a semi-automatic Glock pistol with a 40-round stick magazine. Both weapons were loaded, with rounds chambered and ready to fire. Deputies also found a total of approximately 80 rounds of ammunition.

These weapons were not lawfully registered and were found hidden in a way that suggested an intent to retrieve them during or shortly before the ceremony. The manner in which the guns were stored and concealed under the vehicles left no doubt about their potential use during the graduation event.

Identification and Arrest of Suspects

The individuals identified from the surveillance footage were not students at ATAP. Instead, they were attendees connected to other guests, likely friends or family members of graduates. The first suspect taken into custody was a 19-year-old man whose name has not yet been made public due to his age and the ongoing nature of the investigation.

A second suspect, 20-year-old Jamarion Jaryante Hardiman, was later located and arrested. Both individuals face serious legal consequences, including potential charges related to weapons possession, conspiracy to commit a violent act, and endangerment of public safety.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspects had prior criminal records involving weapons. Their presence at the event with high-capacity firearms and ammunition, coupled with the social media threat, strongly indicated an intent to disrupt or harm attendees at the graduation.

Sheriff Commends Quick Action

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard issued a statement following the arrests, commending the family member who came forward with the tip. He emphasized that the timely intervention of this individual, combined with the rapid response of law enforcement and venue security, likely prevented a tragic mass shooting.

According to Sheriff Bouchard, the fact that the firearms were loaded and ready to fire was a sobering reminder of how close the community came to disaster. He described the potential outcome as “too terrible to imagine” and reaffirmed his department’s commitment to acting decisively against illegal gun activity and threats to public safety.

He further urged the public to take every threat seriously and report suspicious behavior immediately. He noted that while this incident was caught in time, there have been too many examples across the country where such warnings went unheeded until it was too late.

Community and School Response

The administration of the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac expressed deep gratitude that no one was harmed. In a statement, the school emphasized its commitment to student and community safety and thanked law enforcement for their rapid and thorough response.

Parents and families, while shaken, were relieved that the threat was contained. Many expressed a renewed sense of urgency about the importance of vigilance, even during events meant for celebration. Some attendees had already left the event early after noticing a heavy police presence or sensing that something was wrong.

Importance of Public Reporting

This case highlights the importance of public participation in maintaining community safety. Officials reiterated the need for people to report suspicious behavior through available channels, such as local police departments or designated anonymous tip lines. The fact that the Snapchat post was not reported until just before the ceremony raises questions about how many others might have seen it but failed to take action.

Sheriff Bouchard urged residents to use resources like the state’s anonymous school safety tip line whenever they encounter threats or concerning behavior. In this case, a family member’s courage to act may have saved dozens, if not hundreds, of lives.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Investigation

Both suspects remain in custody as of the latest updates. Law enforcement is continuing its investigation to determine whether any additional individuals were involved or had knowledge of the plan. Prosecutors are expected to file multiple felony charges, including illegal weapons possession and threats against public institutions.

Authorities are also investigating how the suspects obtained the firearms and whether any trafficking or unlawful sale of weapons took place. The case has drawn attention from other agencies, including those focused on gun violence prevention and youth intervention programs.

Conclusion: A Community Spared from Tragedy

While the event was disrupted and marred by fear and confusion, the community of Pontiac ultimately avoided what could have been a devastating attack. The graduates were able to go home safely, and their families were spared from what might have otherwise been an unspeakable tragedy.

This incident serves as a stark and urgent reminder of the risks facing public gatherings today, even events meant to celebrate youth, achievement, and hope for the future. But it also stands as a testament to the power of speaking up, the importance of preparedness, and the critical role that communities play in keeping one another safe

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