Pontiac, Michigan – The father of Ethan Crumbley, the teen responsible for a deadly school shooting that took the lives of four individuals, has been found guilty of manslaughter for disregarding his son’s mental health needs. James Crumbley, aged 47, had purchased the handgun used in the attack in November 2021. Previously, his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, also faced a manslaughter conviction in February. This case marks the first instance in the United States where parents have been charged for their child’s involvement in a mass school shooting.
The verdict was reached after a day of deliberations in Oakland County court, with James Crumbley showing little reaction as it was read out. Ethan Crumbley tragically killed Tate Myre, Hana St Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, and Justin Shilling during the attack when he was only 15 years old. He is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Both James and Jennifer Crumbley now face the possibility of a minimum 10-year prison sentence at their upcoming sentencing on April 9. The jury heard details of how James had failed to prevent his son from accessing the weapon used in the shooting. Although Ethan had created a disturbing drawing and written troubling phrases on a school assignment, the parents did not take him home following a meeting at the school.
School officials also neglected to check Ethan’s backpack before allowing him back to class, where the gun was concealed. When James Crumbley learned of the shooting, he immediately returned home from his job as a DoorDash delivery driver in search of the weapon. The defense argued that he had not given consent for his son to access the gun.
In response to the tragic incident, Steve St Juliana, the father of victim Hana, emphasized the urgent need for action to address gun violence. He expressed frustration over the lack of meaningful action taken to prevent such tragedies, highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety of children in schools. The case has sparked discussions regarding parental responsibility in preventing gun-related incidents involving young individuals. Overall, the verdict raises important questions about accountability and the role of parents in addressing mental health and access to firearms among minors.