Michigan Teenager Charged in Oxford High School Shooting

The Michigan teenager accused of killing four students and injuring six others at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, Mich., on Tuesday will be charged as an adult, according to national news sources. Ethan Crumbley, 15, faces two dozen charges including murder, attempted murder and terrorism. The motive for the attack has not yet surfaced, but prosecutor Karen McDonald said that there is a “mountain of digital evidence” suggesting that the shooting was premeditated.

McDonald also suggested that the teenage suspect’s parents would be charged in connection with the event. The Washington Post reports that Crumbley’s father purchased the semiautomatic handgun used in the shooting on Friday, Nov. 26, just four days before the attack. The details of how the teenager obtained the weapon are not yet clear, but McDonald stressed the importance of responsible gun ownership, especially around minors.

“Owning a gun means securing it properly and locking it and keeping the ammunition separate. Those who do not do that should and will be held accountable,” said McDonald. “We have to do better. How many times does this have to happen? How many times?”

The Associated Press reports that Crumbley’s parents were called into the school on Tuesday, Nov. 30, just hours before the attack took place. Sheriff Mike Bouchard told parents the meeting was in reference to “behavior in the classroom that was concerning.”

Lt. Tim Willis of the sheriff’s office also said that investigators uncovered a video that Crumbley had recorded the night before “in which he discussed killing students.”

“This was not just an impulsive act,” said McDonald.

Oxford High School, located about 30 miles north of Detroit, Mich., is closed for the remainder of the week. Other districts around the metropolitan area either cancelled classes or increased police presence on campus in response to threats circulating on social media.

Crumbley was arraigned in district court on Wednesday afternoon, where he was charged with one count of terrorism causing death; four counts of first-degree murder; seven counts of assault with intent to murder; and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The teenager attended the arraignment via video from a juvenile detention center and remained silent. District Court Judge Nancy Carniak entered a plea of not guilty to all charges on Crumbley’s behalf. The teen was denied bond.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • Gun Violence Report Finds Retail Spaces, K-12 Schools Most Targeted

    ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced the release of its annual Gun Violence Report, offering a deep dive into the landscape of gun-related incidents across the United States. This analysis extends beyond mass fatality events, providing a more nuanced understanding of when, where, and why shootings occur. Read Now

  • Cybersecurity is An Overlooked Threat on K-12 Campuses

    Improving physical security on K-12 campuses is always at the top of mind for decision makers like principals, superintendents, and many others with a focus on surveillance cameras, access control, and emergency drills. But cybersecurity something that needs as much scrutiny as in today’s digital landscape. Read Now

    • Communication
  • Four Fathers Stop School Shooter at Weekend Band Competition in Texas

    An 83-year-old man allegedly injured one during a school shooting at a band competition in a Houston suburb. According to a Facebook post by the Pasadena Police Department, the shooting happened after 6 p.m. at Pasadena Memorial High School on Saturday. Read Now

  • Tennessee School Shooter Partially Livestreamed Attack that Killed One

    The school shooter who killed one during an attack in Nashville, Tenn. partially livestreamed the attack. Read Now