Pontiac, Michigan (AP) — In a pivotal moment during the trial of the father of a Michigan school shooter, prosecutors are honing in on the events leading up to the tragic day at Oxford High School in 2021. The school counselor, Shawn Hopkins, testified that Ethan Crumbley’s parents neglected to remove him from school even after being shown a violent drawing and disturbing phrases present on a math assignment. Tragically, four students lost their lives later that day, leading to James Crumbley being charged with involuntary manslaughter for his failure to prevent the killings.
During the trial, it was revealed that James Crumbley frantically reported a missing gun at his residence on the morning of the tragedy, suspecting that his son had taken it. Despite this, James is not accused of being aware of his son’s intentions to carry out a school shooting. However, prosecutors argue that his gross negligence in securing the firearm contributed to the devastating outcome.
The case against the Crumbleys marks the first instance in the United States where parents are held criminally responsible for a mass school shooting committed by their child. Assistant prosecutor Marc Keast emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy, stating that the murders could have been avoided if appropriate actions had been taken.
Evidence presented during the trial highlighted crucial lapses in judgment by the Crumbleys, including the purchase of a handgun just days prior to the shooting, without disclosure to school authorities. Moreover, the failure to address Ethan’s mental distress and the dismissal of his pleas for help further underscored the prosecution’s argument of negligence.
While the defense maintains that James Crumbley was unaware of his son’s access to the firearm, the prosecution contends that crucial steps were missed that could have averted the tragic events at Oxford High School. The trial continues to shed light on the complex factors at play leading up to the fateful day, urging a closer examination of parental responsibility and intervention in cases involving youth violence.