FOLLOW US

Ethan Crumbley is alleged to have attacked his classmates in the Oxford High School shootings. The 15-year-old was charged as an adult with terrorism, murder, and other counts for the bloody rampage. And Karen McDonald, Oakland County Missouri Prosecutor announced that the parents of the suspect will also be facing involuntary manslaughter charges. 

On Friday prosecutors outlined the case against the parents. Text messages were disclosed they claim were sent to Ethan both before and after the shootings. The gun was given to Ethan just days before he turned it on his classmates.  

The shooting took the lives of Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17 who attended Oxford Michigan High School.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said that no one in law enforcement has spoken to  James and Jennifer Crumbley. But their attorney told officials that if charges are filed she would bring them into authorities.

Bouchard claims the parents are no longer communicating with the attorney. And when asked if the Crumbleys are missing, Bouchard said, "Correct. If they think they are going to get away, they are not," he added.

Every available resource is dedicated to locating them. And the sheriff says if the couple is spotted that no one should approach them.

Both the FBI and the US Marshals are involved in the search for the missing parents according to Sheriff Bouchard. Arraignment was scheduled for 4 p.m. ET Friday.

Tragic Oxford High School Shootings in Michigan

15-year-old Ethan is accused of the shooting rampage at Oxford Michigan high school. He allegedly fired at least 30 rounds in the hallways and through the doors of Oxford High School on Tuesday. Four classmates were killed and seven others, including a teacher, were injured.   

"While the shooter was the one who entered the high school and pulled the trigger, there are other individuals who contributed to the events on November 30 and it is my intention to hold them accountable as well," Prosecutor McDonald claimed during a press conference. "It’s imperative we prevent this from happening again. No other parent or community should have to live through this nightmare." 

The Oxford High School shootings are the deadliest at a US Highschool since 2018.

After his arrest, Ethan’s parents advised him not to speak to authorities. According to Undersheriff Mike McCabe, police need permission from a juvenile’s parents or guardian to speak with them.

The parents of the Shooter gave him the gun

James Crumbley took his son to purchase a 9mm Sig Sauer revolver on Black Friday. This was four days prior to the shooting. Ethan’s Mom called the pistol 'his new Christmas present' on social media. Ethan posted on social media that the gun was "my new beauty."

The 15-year-old could not legally own the gun or carry it except at shooting ranges.

McDonald said investigators were later told that the gun and ammunition used in the shooting was unlocked in a drawer in the parent’s bedroom.

The day before the shooting a teacher reported Ethan was searching “ammunition” during class on his cell phone. The school sent an email and left a voicemail for the Crumbley parents and did not receive a response.

However, Jennifer Crumbley contacted her son via text saying 'LOL, I'm not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught.'

On the day of the shooting, a teacher found troubling notes on Ethan’s desk. Drawings of blood and guns and bullets were reported. Along with the words "The thoughts won't stop. Help me," she said.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were "immediately summoned to the school," and met with a counselor. The parents were told they needed to get counseling for Ethan within 48 hours.

Neither parent asked their son to "inspect his backpack for the presence of the gun which he had with him," according to McDonald. This is a rare case where the parents of the shooter are being charged. 

Then the parents left school and the boy was allowed to stay and sent back to class.

According to McDonald, when the shooting was in progress Jennifer Crumbley sent her son a text: "Ethan, don't do it." And James Crumbley called 911 to report the gun was missing and that his son might be the shooter.