Michigan Teenager Formally Charged in School Shooting That Left 4 Students Dead
A 15-year-old boy was charged with murder and terrorism for a shooting that killed four fellow students and injured others at a Michigan high school, authorities said Wednesday, revealing that his parents were summoned just a few hours before the bloodshed.
No motive was offered by Oakland County authorities, a day after the violence at Oxford High School, located roughly 30 miles north of Detroit. But prosecutor Karen McDonald said the shooting was premeditated, based on a “mountain of digital evidence” collected by police. “This was not just an impulsive act,” McDonald said.
Sheriff’s Lt. Tim Willis, echoing those sentiments, told a judge that Ethan Crumbley recorded a video the night before the violence in which he discussed killing students. Earlier, Sheriff Mike Bouchard told reporters that Crumbley’s parents were called to the school Tuesday “for behavior in the classroom that was concerning.” Bouchard didn’t offer details about what had troubled school officials, but Crumbley was allowed to remain in school. The shooting occurred a few hours later, and investigators believe the gun was already in school. “There is nothing that he could have faced that would warrant senseless, absolutely brutal violence on other kids,” the sheriff said.
BREAKING: 15-year-old suspect for the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan will be charged as an adult for counts including first-degree murder and terrorism causing death https://t.co/UBAj46j5cj pic.twitter.com/SnAcJ6pNDh
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 1, 2021
“He deliberately brought the handgun that day with the intent to murder as many students as he could,” assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said in successfully arguing for no bail and a transfer to jail from a juvenile facility. Keast said in court that Crumbley entered a bathroom with a backpack and came out holding a semi-automatic handgun, firing at students while moving down the hallway. The four students who were killed were identified as 16-year-old Tate Myre, 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin, and 17-year-old Justin Shilling.
This is the Oxford School Shooter Ethan Crumbley
This is the Schools Fault. Especially Since the school had sent out multiple E-mails disregarding threats multiple times THIS MONTH alone. #oxfordhighschool pic.twitter.com/wIMnecVVcd— Head (@HeadExplode) December 1, 2021
Video posted on social media showed students rushing to get out of first-floor classroom windows rather than open a door to someone who claimed to be a police officer. The sheriff said he likely was a detective. After the attack, authorities learned of social media posts about threats of a shooting at the roughly 1,700-student school. The sheriff stressed how crucial it is for such tips to be sent to authorities, while also cautioning against spreading social media rumors before a full investigation. Deputies rushed to the school around lunchtime Tuesday and arrested Crumbley in a hallway within minutes of the shooting. His father bought the 9 mm Sig Sauer gun last week, according to the sheriff. McDonald said charges were being considered against the parents.
Parents of accused school shooter Ethan Crumbley appear for the first time. They are attending the arraignment of their son via Zoom. pic.twitter.com/K9dkeV1XFP
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) December 1, 2021
Crumbley was charged as an adult with murder, attempted murder, terrorism causing death, and gun crimes. During his arraignment, he replied, “Yes, I do,” when asked if he understood the charges. Defense attorney Scott Kozak entered a plea of not guilty.