On Nov. 30, Ethan Crumbley a gunman opened fire on Oxford High School in Michigan, shooting 11 students. Four students were killed, and many others were critically and severely injured.
Ethan Crumbley According to authorities, Ethan Crumbley was a 15-year-old student who was later arrested in connection to the shooting. The following day, he was arrested on one count of terroristic causing death and four counts each of first-degree murder. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ethan Crumbley Prosecutors filed involuntary murder charges against Jennifer Crumbley and James Crumbley on Dec. 3. They claimed that Jennifer Crumbley had purchased the semiautomatic handgun he used to commit the fatal rampage as a Christmas present.
The fatal gunfire that broke out in Oxford in Oakland County, about 30 miles north of Detroit, was the latest in a series of shootings at schools in the United States. It came after a period of calm during the coronavirus pandemic when many schools were able to hold classes remotely.
Education Week tracks shootings and determined that this shooting was the most fatal. The motive for the shooting was not clear, and many details remain unclear. Here’s what we do know.
What was the story at the school?
The first of over 100 911 calls regarding the shooting was received by authorities at 12:51 on Nov. 30.
After reviewing security camera footage, authorities found that the suspect had emerged from a toilet and began firing on students in the hallway.
Students at Oxford High School heard gunshots and ran for cover. They used chairs to barricade their classroom doors. The authorities stated that 11 people were shot within five minutes.
Dale Schmalenberg (16) said that he was shaking when he heard the gunshot. He was in calculus class at the time. “I didn’t know how to react.”
According to authorities, the gunman fired approximately 30 shots with his semiautomatic handgun. He was then captured by deputies who were standing in the hallway of the school.
Michael McCabe, Oakland County’s undersheriff, stated that the suspect, who was in class earlier in day, “gave in without any problems.”
Investigators looked at hours of surveillance camera footage in an effort to track the suspect’s actions, Sheriff Michael Bouchard said to reporters. But, his targets “appeared random”. Investigators hadn’t determined a motive for the shooting which the sheriff described as “absolutely brutally chillhearted.”
What do we know about victims?
Authorities identified the victims as Hana St. Julia, 14, Madisyn Baldwin (17), and Tate Myre (16), who were killed in a sheriff’s squad car on their way to a hospital that night. Justin Shilling (17), a fourth student, died at the hospital the following morning.
Madisyn was described as a “beautiful and smart girl”, by her grandmother. She was also considered a talented artist. Tate was a tight end and linebacker on the school’s football team. Ethan CrumbleyV She recently received an all-region award. Justin was a member of the boys’ bowling club. Hana was a member of the basketball and volleyball teams.
Officials said that the six students who were injured ranged from 14 to 17 years old. A 47-year-old teacher was also injured by the bullet.
What can we learn about the suspect?
Ethan Crumbley is a sophomore at Oxford High School. He was also a resident in Oxford Village, which has fewer than 3500 residents.
Karen D. McDonald (the Oakland County prosecutor) gave a detailed account of the shooting and the actions that led up to it.
She said that the suspect’s parents were called to the high school by one of his teachers after he found an alarming note. It contained images of a gun and someone who had been shot, as well as a laughing emoticon and the words “The thoughts will not stop” and “Blood everywhere.” Please help me.
A teacher saw the suspect looking online for ammunition the day before the shooting. This led to a meeting between school officials and the prosecutor.
During a video arraignment, the authorities revealed to a judge that they had found two videos on the suspect’s phone. These videos were taken the night before the attack. Ethan Crumbley They said that the student was seen talking about killing and shooting students at Oxford High the next day. The authorities also found a journal that the student kept in his backpack, which detailed his desire to “shoot up the school.”
His lawyer filed a not-guilty plea for him.
Authorities stated that they didn’t believe the student planned the shooting and were continuing to investigate.
Which charges is he facing?
The suspect was charged as an adult with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of terroristic causing death. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Prosecutors claimed that the suspect planned the attack “well before” the incident.
Karen D. McDonald, Oakland County prosecutor, stated that she is certain after reviewing all the evidence that the case was not even close. It was premeditated.
Ms McDonald stated that she decided to accuse the suspect of being an adult due to the seriousness of the crime, and her belief it was planned.
Why were the parents of the suspect charged by prosecutors?
According to authorities, the 9-millimetre Sig Sauer handgun used during the shooting was purchased by the suspect’s dad four days prior to the shooting. His mother had referred on social media to the weapon as her son’s Christmas present.
Ethan Crumbley Experts say that although many school shooters are underage, they often carry guns home from their parents. However, adults who were responsible for the weapons are seldom charged. However, Ms McDonald, the prosecutor, stated that she believed the gunman’s parents were responsible for the shooting and charged them with voluntary manslaughter.
She said, “I am not saying that active shooter situations should always lead to criminal prosecution of parents.” “But the facts, in this case, are so outrageous.”
According to the authorities, Ms Crumbley texted her son “LOL” after she was told by the school that her son was looking for ammunition online. It is important to not get caught.
Ms McDonald stated that school officials informed the suspect’s parents on the day of the shooting that they would need to see a counsellor for their son. Ethan Crumbley The parents of the teenager did not want him to be taken from school on that day. Ms McDonald did not question him about his gun or search the backpack he brought to work.
Referring to the note that the suspect had written, the prosecutor stated, “The idea that a parent could also read those words and know that their son had access to deadly weapons, that they gave them, is unconscionable. I think it’s criminal.”
After the suspect’s parents failed to appear for their arraignment, intense manhunts began. They fled the area days after the shooting. Ethan Crumbley They were taken into custody by Detroit police and held together with their son in Oakland County, Mich., each in separate cells.
What were the repercussions for the school?
Ethan Crumbley’s actions before the shooting were examined closely by the school. Particularly, the guidance counsellors’ decision to send Crumbley back to school after observing his violent drawings. He was not searched for any weapon in his belongings.
Tim Throne, school district superintendent, wrote to parents and staff saying that the district would look into the shootings with an outside party.
Two sisters, whose parents survived the shooting, filed a federal lawsuit against the school district on Dec. 9, against their officials and the superintendent, principal and dean of students.
The lawsuit alleges constitutional violations under the 14th Amendment as well as violations under Michigan state law. The suit claims that school staff members showed “reckless disregard” for victims’ safety.
Karen M. McDonald, the prosecutor, was asked if her office was investigating the conduct of school officials. She replied, “The investigation continues.”
Catherine J. Ross, a George Washington University law professor and expert on student rights, stated that she found the school’s response “truly astonishing.”
School officials have defended themselves.
“Consultants did not believe that the student could harm others based upon his behaviour, responses, and demeanour which appeared calm,” Mr Throne wrote.
Ms McDonald said that there were still unanswered questions.
She said that if Mr Crumbley was a school employee, they should have reported him immediately to law enforcement. It is now up to you to answer the question: What did they know? And when?
Shooting at Oxford High School leaves 7 dead and 4 others injured
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Justin Shilling (17 years old) died from his injuries on Wednesday morning at McLaren Oakland Hospital. Here are the latest.
UPDATE: Wednesday, March 45th at 3:45 PM: The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office clarified Wednesday that the suspect had 18 rounds of ammunition remaining when he was arrested.
Oxford High School sophomore 15-year old, Armed with a Semiautomatic Handgun, was accused of shooting at his school Tuesday afternoon. The attack killed three students, injures seven others, and injured a teacher.
The victims were Tate Myre (16 years old), Hana St. Julia (14 years), and Madisyn Baldwin (17.
The shooting took place in five minutes. Police said that the shooter was not hurt and was taken into custody after deputies stopped him from coming down a hall carrying a 9mm pistol with live ammunition.
Late Tuesday, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said that the suspect’s father bought the handgun only four days ago. According to the sheriff, he will not identify the juvenile at this point.
According to County Executive David Coulter, the teen was on suicide watch. Prosecutor Karen McDonald stated that she would issue “appropriate charges quickly” in response to community concerns and that she has made her promise that she “will seek justice.”
Michael McCabe (the Oakland County Undersheriff) said that the suspect lived about 1 1/2 miles away from the school at a previous news conference. Investigators interviewed students and searched social media for clues.
Bouchard stated that the boy, who had been fatally injured, died in a patrol vehicle as a deputy rushed him to a hospital. Bouchard noted that a colleague at the emergency dispatch centre had also lost a loved one to the attack.
The 47-year-old teacher was discharged with a grazing gun wound. Children ages 14-17 were in stable to critical condition with injuries to their heads, extremities, necks, necks, and chests. One 14-year-old girl was placed on Tuesday night under a ventilator.
The sheriff stated that other students were also injured in the evacuation but did not have life-threatening injuries.
It was not clear if the suspect had ever targeted anyone. Some claimed he was bullied.
Ethan Crumbley Pastors and religious leaders set up two prayer vigils for mourning survivors, one at Kensington Church, Lake Orion, and the other at LakePoint Community, Oxford. A Mass was also held at St. Joseph in Lake Orion.
The nation’s most recent mass shooting has attracted national media attention. It raises questions about guns and renews political debates on gun control and violence.
Governor. Gretchen Whitmer said mass shootings are a uniquely American problem that must be addressed. Her voice weakened when she was asked how she felt by a reporter later.
She was near tears when she said, “It is every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Although police denied that they knew of any warning signs or concerns, some parents and students claimed they heard rumours about something terrible at the school before Tuesday.
Oxford Schools published an earlier this month note to parents stating that it was aware of “numerous myths” that had “circulated through our building this week”, and that the school was looking into the concerns.
Ethan Crumbley Bouchard encouraged people with tips to contact law enforcement. Bouchard called the shooting “unforgivable and inexcusable.”
He said, “We are here for the worst type of tragedy that we have seen across the country. We hoped and prayed that it would never happen to Oakland County. But it did.”
He praised the training that the community had received to be prepared for such an event, and commended the deputies that took the suspect into custody. He also discussed the overwhelming response from law enforcement partners.
On Tuesday afternoon, police officers were at the school. Helicopters hovered above the snow-covered parking lot, and concerned parents turned to social media to get the latest information.
Whitmer stated that as Michiganders, it is our responsibility to protect one another from gun violence. He also ordered flags to be lower. “No one should feel afraid to go to school or work, or to a place of worship, and even to their own home.
Ethan Crumbley President Joe Biden was briefed in Minnesota by Jake Sullivan, his national-security adviser. He said that he felt the pain of the loss of a loved one and offered his support to those families.
Students, whether they were at school or in the community on Tuesday, were still reeling.
Middle schoolers expressed concern for older siblings.
Others claimed they lost their friends. One person said that it would take some time for them to feel safe again at school.
Chaos everywhere
Students at Oxford High School described an eerie scene when a voice announced that there was an active shooter.
They initially said that they didn’t know if it was a drill.
They were overcome by fear and panic when they realized that it wasn’t.
Bouchard later stated that surveillance footage showed the suspect coming out of a toilet with the gun.
Students claimed that teachers locked and barred doors and covered windows and that some students even hid. Students with cell phones silently texted their friends and parents to inform them of what was happening. The students were in tears.
Students claimed they could hear loud bangs.
Early in the afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office announced that it had taken the suspect and the handgun into custody. Officials expressed shock and devastation and requested prayers.
According to police, the suspect asked for an attorney.
Later, some parents stated that even before the shooting, rumours were circulating about a school shooting. Some students even claimed that they had decided to not attend.
Robin Redding, a parent of a 12th-grader, said to the Associated Press that there were rumblings at the school.
She said, “He wasn’t in school today.” He said, “Ma I don’t feel comfortable. None of the children with whom we go to school is going today. “
Jody Job, the chair of the Oakland County Democratic Party, and a candidate for the 2020 state house stated that her son did not go to school Tuesday because he felt “something was going down.”
She said that she believed there was a certain level of discomfort among some students. “I don’t know what they’re communicating to one another. It’s an entirely different world that I don’t belong to.”
She said that gun violence in schools is something she feels will hit all schools eventually, if we don’t crack down on guns, especially for kids.
Victims were rushed to the hospital
Oxford High is a public school located in northern Oakland County, about 45 minutes away from downtown Detroit. It has approximately 1,800 students. The school draws from Oxford Township, Dryden, Metamora, Addison, and other parts of Orion, Dryden and Metamora townships.
Authorities said that the initial 911 call regarding the shooting came in at 12:51 p.m. and was quickly followed by many others. Over 100 officers responded, including the FBI special agent-in-charge and paramedics.
Three local hospitals were visited by ambulances.
A long line of students was seen walking west along Ray Road towards a nearby Meijer. This happened just before 1:45 p.m. Officers in tactical gear entered and exited the school while police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances were present.
Abbey Hodder (15 years old) was a sophomore in Chemistry when she thought she heard glass breaking.
She said, “My teacher sort of ran out and was scrambling.” “The next thing I noticed, he was pushing tables. We all knew that barricade is part of school protocol. We all began pushing tables.”
Hodder explained that they then lined up against a wall to grab something to throw. This was also part of their active shooter training. She added that her teacher instructed them to jump out of a window and run shortly after.
According to parents in touch with them, authorities said that there weren’t any other threats to the school. However, they double- and triple-checked it to make sure students were not hiding.
Students who had transportation were permitted to leave.
Others were instructed to meet at the Meijer which is located within walking distance from the school.
Ashley Bales, a senior student at Oxford, didn’t realize the intercom call was real until her sister sent her a text. At some point during the shooting, she and her classmates ran down a slippery hill towards Meijer and through a door that led to the outside. She was struck in the face by the crowd, but she was fine.
She said, “It was difficult for me because my sibling was still at school.”
Gary Howell (R-North Branch), is a state representative who tweeted that his son was a high school teacher. Howell stated that the shooting was the “scare in his life”.
He added, “Thank God we have heard from John that he is safe and his students are safe,” in a tweet. Please join us in praying to the Oxford students and staff.
A flood of grief
Residents and officials across metro Detroit expressed condolences.
Ethan Crumbley The Detroit Tigers tweeted, “We are deeply disturbed by today’s tragic incidents in Oxford.” “Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with the victims and their families and the entire community affected by this tragedy.”
Attorney General Dana Nessel is the top state law enforcement officer. She said that her department reached out for assistance to local law enforcement as the investigation continued.
She stated, “We must take action to address gun violence in schools and the continuing threat of an unconscionable tragedy.” “Our kids deserve better.”
U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain stated that she couldn’t imagine their pain.
She added, “This is an incredibly tragic day for Oxford and the entire state.” “I would like to thank the first responders for their bravery in this tragedy. I ask that you keep Oxford in your thoughts and prayers.”
At the late-night news conference, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin stated that the incident highlighted the need for mental health services in schools across the country. She also gave praise to the first responders.
It’s a dark day in Michigan history. We have seen the same trend across the country. It has happened to us. “We all hoped it wouldn’t,” she stated, adding that people have been asking what they can do. Reach out to any person you know living in the Oxford or Lake Orion areas. Reach out to others and show compassion. “People need to hear from other people right now.”
Also, Read
