Parents of Michigan School Shooting Suspect Arrested, Plead Not Guilty

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By Tadi Abedje , Alyssa Wilson Published: December 3, 2021

Parents of Michigan School Shooting Suspect Arrested, Plead Not Guilty

This undated handout provided by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office shows James Crumbley. A prosecutor filed involuntary manslaughter charges Friday, Dec. 3, 20201 against James and Jennifer Crumbley, whose 15-year-old son, Ethan Crumbley is accused of killing four students at a Michigan high school.(Oakland County Sheriff's Office via AP) This undated handout provided by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office shows Jennifer Crumbley. A prosecutor filed involuntary manslaughter charges Friday, Dec. 3, 20201 against James and Jennifer Crumbley, whose 15-year-old son, Ethan Crumbley is accused of killing four students at a Michigan high school.(Oakland County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In Summary

The Crumbleys were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors said they bought the firearm their son used to kill four students at his high school.

UPDATE: Dec. 6, 2021 at 9:25 a.m.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were found in a commercial building in Detroit and later taken into custody by authorities, according to USA Today.

The couple are the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who prosecutors say injured multiple classmates, killing four, with a gun his parents purchased him for Christmas. On Friday, before they disappeared, the couple was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

They did not appear at their arraignment, but the bond was set at $500,000 each. Their attorney alleges they were not fleeing arrest, but rather missed court due to a miscommunication.

This is a developing story.

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by this story, resources are available here.  

Authorities are searching for the parents of the suspect in the shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan, according to USA Today.

James and Jennifer Crumbley were charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter by a prosecutor as they are accused of purchasing the firearm for their son as a Christmas gift. Ethan Crumbley, who is their 15-year-old son, is accused of shooting and killing four students and injuring seven others at Oxford High School on Nov. 30.

“I want to be really clear that these charges are intended to hold the individuals who contributed to this tragedy accountable and also to send a message that gun owners have a responsibility. When they fail to uphold that responsibility, there are serious and criminal consequences,” Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a press conference.

According to USA Today, the weapon had been put in an unlocked drawer inside their house. McDonald said when Crumbley’s parents were called by the school on that fateful day about their son’s drawing of a firearm, they did not ask where the weapon was.

The parents were scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 3 but were not in custody, according to USA Today. The couple was discovered to have left town briefly, although the family’s lawyers claim they only left for their own safety and will be returning.

“The action of fleeing and ignoring their attorney certainly adds weight to the charges,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said at a press conference. “They cannot run from their part in this tragedy.”

On Dec. 1, Crumbley was charged as an adult with terrorism, murder and other crimes, according to USA Today.

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by this story, resources are available here.