Parents of alleged Oxford High School shooter charged with involuntary manslaughter

The parents of the Oxford, Mich., teen accused of fatally shooting four fellow high school students have been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, 15, were charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; and Justin Shilling, 17, reports The Detroit News. 

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald's decision to bring charges against the Crumbleys came two days after their son was arraigned on 24 criminal charges, including terrorism causing death, first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. 

Ethan Crumbley allegedly brought a gun to Oxford High School on Tuesday and opened fire, killing four students and wounded seven others. A judge ordered the teen to be held without bond. 

McDonald said Ethan Crumbley was with his father, James, when the father bought the 9 mm semi-automatic pistol.

The prosecutor contended the Crumbleys kept the gun in a drawer in their room, unlocked.

“These charges are intended to hold individuals who contributed to this tragedy accountable, but also to send a message,” McDonald said. “We need to do better in this country. We need to say enough is enough. For our kids, teachers, and all of us.”

Authorities said the Crumbleys knew their son was troubled and were told to get their son help. A teacher had found a troubling note with violent images that indicated he was thinking about using a gun.

At a meeting school officials had with the Crumbleys, the parents were told they were required to get Ethan into counseling within 48 hours. But the shooting took place a short time later.

McDonald said a student who wrote such a note should never have been returned to the classroom.

“Both James and Jennifer failed to ask their son if he had a gun with him, or where his gun was located, or to inspect his backpack for the presence of a gun,” McDonald said.

After the meeting, Ethan Crumbley returned to class, along with his backpack — the backpack allegedly used to carry the gun, McDonald said. Ethan went to the bathroom eventually, came out and started shooting, police say.