Family accountability: Parents of alleged Michigan school shooter face criminal charges

Dec 08, 2021

Alex Peebles Reporter

By Alex Peebles (Reporter), Mahmoud Bennett (Video Editor)

Michigan prosecutors have filed involuntary manslaughter charges against James and Jennifer Crumbley. They’re the parents of 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley, who is accused of killing four students and wounding seven other people at his high school.

Authorities have said Ethan Crumbley opened fire on Tuesday, November 30 at Oxford High School. Seven students and a teacher were shot before Ethan Crumbley surrendered to sheriff’s deputies. It’s America’s deadliest school shooting of 2021.

The semi-automatic gun used in the shooting was purchased legally by Crumbley’s father, according to investigators.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald explained the decision to charge the parents, a rarity in school shootings.

“These charges are intended to hold the individuals who contributed to this tragedy accountable and also send a message: that gun owners have a responsibility,” McDonald said.

Along with his parents, Ethan Crumbley also faces felony charges. He has been charged as an adult with two dozen crimes, including murder, attempted murder and terrorism.

Tags: Society at Large

SHOULD PARENTS also BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SCHOOL SHOOTINGS?

IT’S A MOVE MICHIGAN PROSECUTORS ARE MAKING – FOLLOWING the deadliest school shooting of the year.

Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Oakland County: “So they are in our jail, all three of them, the son and both parents.”

A WHOLE FAMILY IS FACING CHARGES AFTER 15-YEAR-OLD ETHAN CRUMBLEY ALLEGEDLY OPENED FIRE AT OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL,

KILLING 4 STUDENTS AND INJURING 7 OTHER PEOPLE.

PARENTS JAMES AND JENNIFER CRUMBLEY ARE CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER.

PROSECUTORS SAY, WHILE THE PARENTS DIDN’T PULL THE TRIGGER, THEY DID CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEADLY VIOLENCE BY GIVING THEIR SON, ETHAN, ACCESS TO A GUN.

Karen McDonald, Oakland County prosecutor: “Allowing it in the hands of somebody that shows signs that they may hurt somebody is not OK and those people should be held accountable.”

THE SCHOOL INDICATES THERE *WERE WARNINGS SIGNS. BEHAVIORAL CONCERNS THAT LED THE SCHOOL TO CONTACT THE CRUMBLEY’S THE DAY BEFORE AND EVEN THE MORNING OF THE SHOOTING..

MANY BELIEVE THE OUTCOME OF THIS IMPENDING TRIAL COULD SET A PRECEDENT FOR PARENTS IN THE FUTURE. BUT IT DOES DEPEND ON THE STATE.

IN MICHIGAN WHEN A child violates firearm laws on school property A PARENT *can be held criminally liable if theY knew theIR child’s intentions or furthered their actions.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PROSECUTING PARENTS IN CASES LIKE THIS? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.