Michigan school shooting suspect’s parents charged, missing ahead of court appearance – Everett Post

Everett

(OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Michigan) – The parents indicted in connection with the fatal shootings at Oxford High School in Michigan this week are returning to town for their indictment, their attorney said after detectives announced the couple to detect.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were each charged with negligent homicide on four counts on Friday. Her son, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley, allegedly used his father’s semi-automatic pistol in Tuesday’s shooting that killed four people and injured seven.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the Crumbleys attorney would make arrangements for their arrest if charged, and when the warrants were issued on Friday, “detectives went straight to arrest the couple”, said the Oakland County Sheriff’s office.

The attorney told police that she had “repeatedly tried to contact you by phone and text message without success,” the sheriff’s office said.

Bouchard said, “Escaping and ignoring your attorney will certainly add to the charges. You cannot escape from your role in this tragedy. “

The couple’s lawyers then said in a statement, “The Crumbleys left town for their own safety on the night of the tragic shooting. They are returning to the area to be charged. You are not fleeing the law enforcement authorities. “

Earlier on Friday, Oakland County Attorney Karen McDonald sketched an alarming and violent note that Ethan Crumbley allegedly drew hours before the shooting that resulted in his parents being called to school. She also stressed the importance of responsible gun ownership.

“While the shooter was the one who walked into high school and pulled the trigger, there are other people who contributed to the November 30th events and it is my intention to hold them accountable,” said McDonald .

Ethan Crumbley was with his father when he bought the 9mm Sig Sauer pistol on Nov. 26, McDonald said. The teenager posted photos of the gun on social media and wrote, “I got my new beauty today,” she said. Jennifer Crumbley also posted online testing the gun with her son, McDonald said.

A teacher saw Ethan Crumbley researching ammunition in class days before the shooting, the prosecutor said. School officials contacted his parents but they didn’t respond, McDonald said. However, according to prosecutors, Jennifer Crumbley texted her son saying, “lol, I’m not mad at you, you need to learn not to get caught.”

According to McDonald, Ethan Crumbley’s teacher saw an alarming note on his desk on the morning of the shooting on Tuesday. McDonald described the note as “a drawing of a semi-automatic handgun pointing to the words, ‘Thoughts won’t stop, help me.’ In another section of the note was a drawing of a sphere with the words above that sphere: ‘Blood everywhere.’ “

“Between the drawing of the gun and the bullet is a drawing of a person who appears to have been shot twice and is bleeding,” she said. “A laughing emoji is drawn under this figure. Further down in the drawing are the words’ My life is useless’ and to the right of it the words’ The world is dead. “”

Ethan Crumbley was removed from the classroom and his parents were called to school, McDonald said. When a counselor received the drawing, the teen allegedly altered it, McDonald said.

“At the meeting, James and Jennifer Crumbley were shown the drawing and advised that they must bring their son for a consultation within 48 hours,” she said. “Both James and Jennifer Crumbley neglected to ask their son if he had his gun with him or where his gun was, and did not check his backpack for the presence of the gun he was carrying.”

Parents left school while Ethan Crumbley returned to class, likely with the gun in his backpack, McDonald said.

Upon news of a school shooting, McDonald said Jennifer Crumbley texted her son, “Ethan, don’t do it.”

James Crumbley called 911 to report a gun was missing in his home and said he believed his son might be the shooter, McDonald said.

Authorities found that James Crumbley’s semi-automatic pistol was kept unlocked in a drawer in his bedroom, McDonald said.

McDonald said negligent manslaughter was “the strongest charge we can prove” against the suspect’s parents.

“These charges are designed to hold those who contributed to this tragedy accountable and also to send a message that gun owners have a responsibility. If they fail to meet this responsibility, there are serious and criminal consequences, ”she said.

Ethan Crumbley was charged with fatal terrorism as an adult; four cases of first degree murder; seven cases of assault with murder; and 11 cases of possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime.

A judge made an innocent plea on behalf of Ethan Crumbley on Wednesday. His next trial is scheduled for December 13th.