2 Charged In Plot To Shoot Up Michigan Graduation Party

PONTIAC, MI — Two men have been charged in connection with a plan to shoot up an Oakland County high school graduation ceremony, according to the county's prosecutor's office.

Jamarion Hardiman, 20, of Pontiac, and Dhaeveon Whaley, 19, of Pontiac, were each charged with one count of carrying a firearm with unlawful intent, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and carrying a concealed weapon.

Hardiman pleaded not guilty and was given a $250,000 cash bond. If he posts bond, he must wear a steel GPS tether, he cannot go to the sports complex where the event was held and he cannot have any contact with Whaley.

Whaley also pleaded not guilty and was given a $200,000 cash bond. If he posts bond, he cannot have any contact with Hardiman, he cannot possess firearms or dangerous weapons and he can’t go to the UWM Sports Complex.

If convicted, they each face up to five years in prison for carrying a firearm with unlawful intent and for carrying a concealed weapon, and up to two years for possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Both Hardiman and Whaley are expected back in court on June 17.

The incident happened at the United Wholesale Mortgage building in Pontiac, where the Arts and Technology Academy of Pontiac was holding its graduation ceremony last Tuesday, prosecutors said.

At roughly 6:30 p.m., officers were called to the building for a fight in the parking lot, prosecutors said.

Investigators determined that Hardiman and Whaley entered the venue together, and Hardiman assaulted an unidentified individual, prosecutors said.

After building security intervened, prosecutors said Hardiman, Whaley, and other individuals involved in the fight left the building, and the fight continued in the parking lot. Prosecutors said Hardiman and Whaley were unarmed at that time.

Surveillance video then showed Hardiman being struck by a car, but he wasn't injured, as he and Whaley went back to their car, prosecutors said.

Whaley grabbed a gun, carrying it in his waistband, and Hardiman grabbed a backpack that had an AR-style pistol inside, prosecutors said.

They were then seen crouching behind and between vehicles in the parking lot before tossing the guns underneath parked vehicles, prosecutors said.

Investigators later found the guns, which they determined were fully loaded with extended magazines and chambered rounds, prosecutors said.

While investigating, prosecutors said officers were approached by an attendee who reported that she had heard from another person about a potentially threatening Snapchat message. Investigators have not verified the existence of a Snapchat message or the identity of the person who saw it, prosecutors said.

Police were still investigating the incident and said additional charges are possible if they can tie Hardiman and Whaley to the threat.

"Law enforcement has not been able to verify the existence of the Snapchat. Therefore, we are moving forward with the charges presented by investigators," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. "This graduation event was disrupted by a fight that required a police response and, rather than walking away, it appears these defendants retrieved a gun. That’s unacceptable and we will hold them accountable."

Investigators do not know what sparked the fight, but they did say Hardiman and Whaley have friends and relatives who attend the school. They also said Hardiman and Whaley had ongoing disputes with people in the community.

Anyone with information should call the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at 248-858-4950.

The foiled plot comes less than a month after federal agents busted an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at a Michigan military base.