GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Alger Middle School will be closed Wednesday, Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby announced Tuesday night.
The announcement comes after a student was shot in the face near the school Tuesday.
"To allow additional time for scholars and staff to process what happened today, we are cancelling classes at Alger Middle School on Wednesday. This decision is being made after receiving feedback from our Alger Middle School families and staff," Dr. Roby wrote in a letter to families.
The shooting took place at the park adjacent to the school around 12:07 p.m. A student was shot in the cheek inside a bathroom at the park.
The boys ran to the school for help. Staff quickly began providing first aid, called first responders and placed the school on Code Red, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said. No one inside was hurt.
The student who was shot was conscious and alert when he was sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Winstrom said.
"We are thankful that their injuries are not life-threatening. Both Alger Middle School students involved have been cooperative with Grand Rapids Police during their investigation," Dr. Roby wrote.
While the school will be closed on Wednesday, there will be additional staff on Thursday to support students.
"We will have additional staff at Alger Middle School on Thursday when scholars return, including trained crisis debriefers for both our scholars and staff. Our Safety and Security team is also preparing to have metal detectors in use to ensure that no weapons are allowed into the school," Dr. Roby wrote.
The school remained in a Code Yellow after the shooting and used a staggered dismissal of students in the afternoon.
"My understanding is, and it's very early on, is that there were two young boys who were students of the school together, one of them was shot and both of them sought refuge... this is something obviously could have been extremely tragic," GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom said. "Hearing the news from the hospital that he's expected to make a recovery. That's just exceptional news. We're very thankful for that."
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