TAYLOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Two public schools in Taylor were targeted by vandalism early Thursday morning.
Police have identified a suspect they believe is in a mental health crisis and are asking for help in locating him.
A man was captured on camera causing a disturbance at Taylor High School around 3:30 a.m. Thursday. That was his second stop. Police are working as quickly as they can to ensure not only the student’s safety during the last week of school, but also the safety of that person.
Not long after seeing this surveillance footage of a man in his mid-20s using a hanging flower basket to attack the side of Taylor High School, a teacher contacted police and identified this individual as a former student at both Taylor High School as Eureka. Height primary school.
Police say he first stopped near Eureka around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
“He grabs a rock and pulls out the camera; that would be the same thing you’re buzzing in. He breaks it and then proceeds to rip all the letters off the wall,” said Taylor Police Department Cpl. says David Denlar.
The teacher’s tip allowed Denlar to contact the individual’s mother, who confirmed her son’s history of mental health issues. The suspect eventually visited his mother around 5 a.m. on the same morning of the vandalism incidents.
“Being his mother, she knows he was struggling with mental health issues and may have been off medication and didn’t seem to be in the right frame of mind. So she called the police, not really knowing how to deal with him. He ended up taking off before the officers got there,” Denlar said.
While resolving this issue is a top priority for student safety during the last five days of the Taylor School District calendar, they also want to ensure that one of their former students gets the help he needs.
“Any time we build that trust with our community and we do community activities and situations within the community to help families in need – to help anyone in need – that’s part of what our role is,” said Taylor School District Superintendent Mike. Weger said.
If you see the person on the surveillance footage, do not approach him. The best way to help them and the school district is to report information to the Taylor Police or Fire Department.
