Charged Parents of Michigan School Shooter Returning for Arraignment After Leaving Town for 'Safety'
17:28 GMT 03.12.2021 (Updated: 13:26 GMT 06.08.2022)
© REUTERS / Eric Seals/USA TODAY NETWORK
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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The parents of accused Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley were charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the incident, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said on Friday during a news conference.
“Based on the information and evidence I have received, today I’m announcing charges against the shooter’s parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley,” McDonald said.
James and Jennifer Crumbley are being charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter each due to their role in obtaining and being responsible for safely storing the firearm used in the shooting, McDonald announced.
Law enforcement officials issued a fugitive warrant for the pair after authorities were informed that the defense team had been unable to reach them ahead of their scheduled arraignment. Michigan's Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard confirmed to CNN on Friday that the Crumbleys were being considered "missing."
James, left, and Jennifer Crumbley are shown during the video arraignment of their son, Ethan Crumbley in Rochester Hills, Mich., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. A prosecutor filed involuntary manslaughter charges Friday, Dec. 3, 20201 against the Crumbleys whose 15-year-old son is accused of killing four students at a Michigan high school.
© AP Photo / Handout
Officials involved in the search parties included members of the FBI and the US Marshal Service.
A subsequent alert issued by authorities detailed that the pair may be driving a black 2021 Kia Seltos with the Michigan tag number DQG5203.
However, shortly after news broke about the manhunt, lawyers for the Crumbleys issued a statement explaining that their clients had not fled the state, and that they had relocated after the shooting "for their own safety."
"They are not fleeing from law enforcement despite recent comments in media reports," the statement reads.
Authorities have stated that regardless of the latest indication from the defense lawyers, the Crumbleys are still considered fugitives.
The Crumbleys' son is being charged as an adult on 24 counts, including terrorism and murder, after killing four and injuring seven others with a semi-automatic handgun he purportedly obtained after his father purchased it for him just several days prior to the shooting. Ethan posted photos of the firearm on social media, in which he referred to the Sig Sauer 9mm handgun as his “new beauty,” McDonald said. Jennifer also made a post to social media calling the pistol his “new Christmas present,” McDonald added.
There were also a number of incidents in the days before the shooting that indicated Ethan was dangerous and disturbed, McDonald said. A teacher reported to school officials that the teen was searching for ammunition on his cell phone during class, which was then reported to his parents. Jennifer then sent a message to Ethan stating “I’m not mad at you, you have to learn not to get caught,” McDonald said.
The morning of the shooting, Ethan’s teacher came upon a note on his desk that contained a drawing of a handgun and phrases such as “the thoughts won’t stop, help me,” and “blood everywhere,” McDonald said. It also contained depictions of people who had been shot, as well as a laughing emoji, she added.
There were also a number of incidents in the days before the shooting that indicated Ethan was dangerous and disturbed, McDonald said. A teacher reported to school officials that the teen was searching for ammunition on his cell phone during class, which was then reported to his parents. Jennifer then sent a message to Ethan stating “I’m not mad at you, you have to learn not to get caught,” McDonald said.
The morning of the shooting, Ethan’s teacher came upon a note on his desk that contained a drawing of a handgun and phrases such as “the thoughts won’t stop, help me,” and “blood everywhere,” McDonald said. It also contained depictions of people who had been shot, as well as a laughing emoji, she added.
1 December 2021, 03:12 GMT
Jennifer and James were then called into the school for a meeting, where they were shown the note, and failed to ask Ethan whether he had his gun with him or to inspect his backpack. Ethan was then returned to school as normal, where he allegedly committed the shooting later that day. When news of the shooting was made public, Jennifer texted Ethan “don’t do it,” McDonald said. James Crumbley also drove straight home after hearing news of the shooting, after which he called 911 to report that a gun was missing from his house and he believed his son may be the shooter, McDonald added. The gun was stored unlocked in a drawer in James and Jennifer’s bedroom,” McDonald noted.
McDonald called Michigan’s state gun laws “woefully inadequate” and expressed her anger over the event. Involuntary manslaughter is the strongest charge that the prosecution believes can be proven in court, she said.
McDonald called Michigan’s state gun laws “woefully inadequate” and expressed her anger over the event. Involuntary manslaughter is the strongest charge that the prosecution believes can be proven in court, she said.
