PONTIAC, Mich. – Two people have been arrested in connection with allegedly planning to shoot up a high school graduation ceremony in Pontiac, officials said.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard held a news conference on Friday to release details about the case.
You can watch the full press conference in the video below.
At about 6:40 p.m. on June 3, deputies responded to a United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) Sports Complex in Pontiac after receiving a report about a fight that broke out during a graduation ceremony for the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac (ATAP) that was being held at the facility.
A 19-year-old Pontiac resident was arrested. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said the second suspect, 20-year-old Jamarion Jaryante Hardiman, was arrested within hours of the press conference.
Bouchard said charges are expected to be filed over the weekend.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at 248-858-4950.
Here’s everything the sheriff said about the case:
Altercation leads to investigation on alleged shooting plot
When deputies arrived, they worked with UWM’s security team to review footage. The security footage showed two people, who were involved in the fight, put items underneath cars, which later were discovered to be guns.
Bouchard said that the two suspects had seen deputies pulling into the parking lot and threw the guns underneath their cars before fleeing the scene.
One gun was an AR-style pistol, and one was a semi-automatic handgun (Glock). Each had a 40-round magazine.
As deputies were investigating, someone told them about a threat to shoot up the graduation ceremony that was posted on Snapchat, which is why Bouchard believes that a mass shooting was averted.
Both suspects arrested
One suspect, a 19-year-old Pontiac resident, was arrested after he fled the scene.
Another suspect, Jamarion Jaryante Hardiman, 20, also of Pontiac, was reportedly arrested hours after the press conference Friday. He is currently on probation for a weapons offense, and the sheriff said both individuals have criminal histories.
The suspects had friends and family present at the graduation ceremony, and were involved in ongoing disputes with people present, but neither were students. The sheriff was unsure if either of them had previously been students.
Bouchard also said that the other individuals involved in the altercation have not been cooperating with the investigation.
Pontiac charter school releases statement
ATAP, the Pontiac charter school that was holding the graduation ceremony, released the following statement on Friday afternoon after Bouchard’s press conference:
“Good Afternoon ATAP Community,
On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, during our graduation ceremony, an unfortunate incident occurred involving individuals who were reportedly seeking retaliation against others in attendance. Sheriff Bouchard addressed the situation in a live update earlier today.
While a brief physical altercation did take place inside the venue, it was quickly handled by staff and security, and those involved were promptly removed. Thankfully, no one within the ceremony was harmed, and we were able to continue and complete our beautiful commencement celebration without further disruption.
After the event, those individuals continued their interaction away from the venue. We are relieved and grateful that our students, families, and faculty returned home safely.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has been actively investigating the matter since Tuesday, and we have been in full cooperation throughout. We want to assure our community that ATAP remains a safe environment, and the well-being of our students and staff is our top priority.
Thanks to all of those individuals involved to help capture those individuals."
Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac (ATAP)