We are following the Ethan Crumbley case, the 15-year old teen who opened fire at the Oxford High School in Michigan on November 30, 2021, killing 4 students and injuring 7 others including a teacher after his father bought him a 9mm Sig Sauer semi-automatic handgun as a Christmas present.
Ethan showed signs of danger and possible mental health crisis days leading up to the mass shooting like performing an internet search for ammunition on his phone while in class the day before. The teacher reportedly removed him from class and took him to the office where he gave the excuse that it was a family hobby.
According to reports, his mother was called and sent an email of the incident. Her response was to ignore the school and text her son, Ethan, allegedly saying, "I'm not mad at you. You just have to learn not to get caught."
The morning of the shooting, his parents were called to the school because he had drawn images of a shooting with a handgun, bullet, and a person who appeared to be shot twice and bleeding on his math test. He also wrote the words, "blood everywhere," "my life is useless," "the world is dead," "I can't stop these thoughts," and "Please, help me."
Both parents were once again called in to the school where they were ordered to seek mental health treatment for Ethan within 48 hours.
The parents, reportedly, resisted the idea of removing him from school so school officials returned him to class.
Several hours later, approximately @12:51 p.m. Ethan is seen on video exiting a bathroom, gun in hand when he allegedly began shooting down a hallway and into classrooms.
No one had bothered to check his backpack or locker.
He was apprehended after releasing about 30 rounds with an additional 18 rounds left and take to Oakland County's Children's Village where he was held temporarily.
He was arraigned the following Monday, December 6, 2021 on charges of terrorism, first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, and felony possession of a gun. He faces 24 charges.
The parents were also charged after allegedly evading the police by hiding in a friend's art studio in Detroit. They were spotted by a citizen and apprehended without incident.
The parents have been charged with 4 counts of involuntary manslaughter each for giving a minor access to a firearm by allegedly leaving the gun in an unlocked bedroom drawer, failing to remove Ethan from school, and failing to alert authorities to the gun purchase.
There is so much to unpack here and far more information on this case from the legal aspects to adolescent mental health and school safety.
We will continue to update as the case progresses.
Share your thoughts on what you think about the case and topics you would like us to cover.
Check out our recommended video on the Ethan Crumbley case discussing psychopathy in adolescence with early childhood development specialist, Laurie Clark-Horton.
Thanks,
Deborah