PONTIAC, Mich. – A Michigan mother has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in a groundbreaking trial related to a tragic school shooting in Oxford, Michigan. The shooting took place in November 2021, resulting in the deaths of four students at Oxford High School, just north of Detroit.
The conviction of Jennifer Crumbley comes after a timeline of events leading up to the tragic incident was presented in court. It was revealed that James Crumbley, the shooter’s father, purchased a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun for his son, Ethan, who then posted a photo on social media with the weapon. The mother and son were also seen at a shooting range together the day before the shooting, and Ethan was observed searching for ammunition on his phone at school.
On the day of the shooting, the parents had met with school officials after violent drawings were found in Ethan’s possession, but no action was taken. Ethan then opened fire at the school, killing four students and injuring several others. His parents were later found in hiding and charged with involuntary manslaughter.
The tragedy resulted in lawsuits being filed against the school district, with claims that the violence could have been prevented. The school eventually reopened, but the legal proceedings continued, culminating in Ethan Crumbley pleading guilty to terrorism and first-degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
The conviction of Jennifer Crumbley is a significant development in the legal and social response to school shootings, marking the first time a parent has been prosecuted and found guilty in connection with a mass school shooting committed by their child. The case brings attention to the issue of parental responsibility and the potential role of family members in preventing such tragic events.