Update: Autopsy scheduled for 14-year-old who died at school

This post was updated to include new information from the Ypsilanti Police Department.

YPSILANTI, MI -- Ypsilanti police have confirmed a 14-year-old boy died at Washtenaw International Middle Academy on Wednesday afternoon.

Police were dispatched to the school at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on a report that someone had fallen, and officers found the boy a short distance from the northwest corner of the school.

The 14-year-old was a student at Washtenaw International Middle Academy, which is housed in the same building as Washtenaw International High School, located at 510 Emerick Street in Ypsilanti.

The boy suffered severe trauma to his head and face and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a press release issued by the Ypsilanti Police Department at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Out of respect for the boy's family, police are not releasing his name at this time.

"Preliminary investigation so far shows no signs of foul play, yet the investigation is in its early stages," the press release states. "A check of students who were attending class at the time revealed one was missing. Officers want to commend the cooperation and organization of the school officials who have been assisting in this investigation."

The school went into a lockdown from about 3 to 4 p.m. while police investigated the situation. Eastern Michigan University police and Huron Valley Ambulance assisted at the scene.

Ypsilanti Community Schools will hold class as planned on Thursday, with mental health counselors available to talk to students and staff, said Superintendent Ben Edmondson in a message to families sent Wednesday evening.

"There are no words to properly convey the sorrow we feel. We send our deepest condolences to the family," he wrote.

Lauren Slagter covers K-12 education for The Ann Arbor News. Contact her at 734-255-1419, lslagter@mlive.com or on Twitter @LaurenSlagter.

