The story of the Oxford High School shooting has been quite the ride. It wasn’t monstrous enough that 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley killed four victims at his high school last year. But as the story unfolded, we found out how much of his life was steeped in the gun culture that continues to plague America.
If you’ll recall, Crumbley shot and killed 16-year-old Tate Myre, 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin, and 17-year-old Justin Shilling last November at the Michigan high school. Then we heard about Crumbley’s family life and how his parents bought him the gun he used in the shooting. Why would his parents buy a 15-year-old a 9mm semi-automatic pistol? Well, it’s because they’re hardcore exercisers of their 2nd Amendment rights. Or, as I like to call them, ‘responsible gun owners™’.
To make matters worse, Crumbley’s parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, allegedly fled from their home to take refuge at a friend’s business in Detroit after it had been announced they were being charged with 4 counts of manslaughter.
Years before the shooting, CPS had been called to the Crumbley household multiple times. According to reports, the Crumbleys would go bar hopping while leaving 8- or 9-year-old Ethan home by himself.
Let’s also not forget that Jennifer Crumbley once wrote a letter to the tangerine-tinged sex pest of a former president where she said he could grab her by the lady bits anytime.
After the shooting happened, Jennifer Crumbley is said to have texted her boss at a real estate agency asking not to be fired.
Ethan was suffering from mental illness and knew it. He tried reaching out to his parents, who allegedly ignored his pleas. Jennifer Crumbley was said to be spending most nights with her horses, not a euphemism, while simultaneously having an affair. Both Crumbleys are suspected substance abusers. James Crumbley is said to have told Ethan to “suck it up.”
Earlier this year, Ethan Crumbley’s attorney filed a motion that they would be seeking an insanity defense. However, last week, Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and terrorism causing death, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has said that there is no plea deal in place, and Ethan Crumbley is still facing a possible sentence of life without parole. It’s not an automatic LWOP though, as it’s unconstitutional to give minors automatic life sentences even if they’ve been charged as adults, as Crumbley has. Prosecutors have yet to say whether they will seek a life sentence without parole. A hearing has been scheduled for February 9th where the defense can argue for a shorter sentence due to Crumbley’s age.
Crumbley’s attorney said that he is remorseful for his actions, but I’ve also read multiple reports that said Crumbley was largely unemotional while entering his plea. Keep in mind, one of Crumbley’s motives for the attack was that he thought the shooting would get President Biden impeached, and he would have to ‘apologize’. Well, that and Crumbley wanted to hear the screams of children and planned on surrendering to police, so he could admire his handiwork. So, you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t buy in to any claims of remorse.
However, the biggest shock that came out of Crumbley’s plea hearing was about the gun used in the shooting. It was previously believed that James Crumbley bought the gun for his son as an early Christmas present. It was revealed through Ethan Crumbley’s own testimony that he gave his father the money to buy the gun. So, allegedly, James Crumbley purchased the gun for Ethan with Ethan’s own money. Remember, Ethan was 15-years-old at the time. Under Michigan law, you must be 18 to possess a handgun, and the gun cannot be borrowed or loaned. That is definitely going to hurt the Crumbley’s manslaughter trial. But we’re not done with the gun yet.
Previously, the elder Crumbleys claimed the gun was secured before Ethan took it. According to Ethan, that was not the case.
“Is it true on Nov. 30, 2021, when you obtained the firearm, it was not kept in a locked container or a safe?” Oakland County assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast asked.
“Yes, it was not locked,” he replied.
So, we have a mentally ill 15-year-old who is asking his parents for help, but instead is told to suck it up. Then his dad buys a gun for him that Ethan himself picked out and paid for. Then James Crumbley left his son unsupervised with the unsecured firearm, allegedly. James Crumbley literally put a gun into the hands of a school shooter.
I’m not saying that Ethan Crumbley shouldn’t be held responsible for his actions. He planned this shooting and knew what he was doing was wrong. However, in my opinion, his parents are just as equally responsible. If found guilty on all four manslaughter charges, they could be sentenced to a maximum of 60 years in prison each.
A school shooting is one of the most cowardly acts someone can commit. Giving a child a gun is a close second.
(Sources)
- Ethan Crumbley’s attorney claims he’s remorseful for Oxford shooting: ‘Remember he is a 16-year-old’
- Ethan Crumbley has pleaded guilty to murdering 4 students at a Michigan school
- Ethan Crumbley, accused Oxford High School mass shooter pleads guilty to murder, terrorism
- Emotions run high as Ethan Crumbley pleads guilty in Oxford High shooting
- What Oxford High School shooter said about parents during his guilty plea
Real Crime with Trench Reynolds 