Oxford High School shooting: The events leading up to and after the deadly shooting
On Friday Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced her office was charging both parents of the Oxford High School school shooting suspect Ethan Crumbley with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Ethan Crumbley opened fire in his High School earlier this week killing 4 students and injuring 7 others including one teacher.
Karen McDonald Friday spoke about the events leading up to the deadly shooting at a news conference.
Friday November 26th
James Crumbley Ethan’s Father purchased a 9mm Sig Sauer SP 2022 from ACME Shooting Goods in Oxford Michigan. A store employee that sold James Crumbley the gun says Ethan was present and James did fill out Statue 309A which is federally required to purchase the gun.
Later that same day Ethan Crumbley posted to social media a picture of the gun with the caption “Just got my new beauty” with two heart emojis. In another post with a similar picture he captioned it “Any questions I will answer.”
Saturday November 27th
Ethan’s Mother Jenifer Crumbley posted to social media explaining Mother and son day “testing out his new Christmas present.” In the social media post prosecutors say she was referring to the gun.
Monday November 29th
A teacher at Oxford High School caught 15 year old Ethan Crumbley searching for ammunition on his cellphone. The teacher reported the incident to school officials who reached out to the Mother and left a voicemail. School officials say they did not hear back from either parent after leaving voicemails and sending an email.
Later the same day Jennifer Crumbley sent a text message to her son stating “LOL I’m not mad at you. you have to learn not to get caught.”
Tuesday November 30th
A teacher at Oxford High School sees a note that is believed to be drawn by Ethan Crumbley. Prosecutor Karen McDonald says the photo alarmed the teacher so much she took a picture of it. The drawing contained a picture of a semi automatic handgun pointing at the words “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me.”
In another section of the note, there was a drawing of a bullet. Above the drawing was the words “blood everywhere.”
Between the drawing of the gun and the bullet is another drawing of a person who appears to have been shot twice and bleeding. Below that figure is a drawing of a laughing emoji.
Farther down on the drawing are their words, “my life is useless.” And to the right of those the words more writing saying “The world is dead.”
As a result of the drawing James and Jennifer were immediately requested by school officials to come into the school. A counselor at the school came to Ethan’s classroom and brought him to the office with his bookbag. By the time the school counselor was able to obtain the drawing Ethan had altered the photo.
After the counselor obtained the drawings of the gun and the bloody figure were now scratched out, as well as the phrases “help me,” “my life is useless,” “the world is dead” and “blood everywhere.”
At the meeting, school personnel show James and Jennifer Crumbley the drawing and advise them that they are required to get their son into counseling within 48 hours. After hearing this at the meeting in the office, James and Jennifer Crumbley do not ask their son whether he had his gun with him, or where his gun was located and do not inspect his backpack for the presence of the gun, which prosecutors said he actually had with him.
The parents of Ethan Crumbley also refused the idea of taking their 15 year old son out of school immediately. Instead of following the advice given by school staff Jennifer and James Crumbley left the school without their son. Ethan was returned to school.
Tuesday November 30th Around 1 p.m.
According to law enforcement the shooting started around 1 p.m. at Oxford High School.
At 1:22 p.m. the news broke publicly there was an active shooter in Oxford High School. At the time of the news breaking Jennifer texted her son “Ethan don’t do it.”
At 1:37 p.m., James Crumbley called 911, reporting that a gun was missing from his house and he believed his son may be the shooter. The gun purchased by James Crumbley on November 26th had been stored unlocked in a drawer in the bedroom he shares with his wife. The gun recovered from the shooter at the school after the shooting was the same gun.
Wednesday December 1st
15 year old Ethan Crumbley was arrested and charged with one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Ethan Crumbley is being charged as an adult.
Friday December 3rd
After the announcement from Prosecutor Karen McDonald that her office was charging both James and Jennifer Crumbley with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. The couple was set to be arrested and charged within the next couple of hours when news broke that Police say they were missing.
After the news broke the attorney representing Jennifer and James Crumbley released the following statement. “ On Thursday night we contacted the Oakland County prosecutor to discuss this matter and to advise her that James and Jennifer Crumbley would be turning themselves in to be arraigned. Instead of communicating with us, the prosecutor held a press conference to announce charges.”
The statement goes on to say “ The Crumbleys left town on the night of the tragic shooting for their own safety. They are returning to the area to be arraigned. They are not fleeing from law enforcement despite recent comments in media reporting”
After the parents were reported missing investigators learned they withdrew 4,000 dollars from their bank account and had turned off their phones.
Saturday December 4th
Early Saturday morning around 2:20 a.m. Jennifer and James were arrested in a commercial building they were hiding in Detroit Michigan after Police received a tip that Jennifer was seen and so was their black Kia SUV.
Jennifer and James both pleaded not guilty to all charges Saturday morning.
