Pontiac, Michigan – The father of a Michigan school shooter has been found guilty of manslaughter for neglecting his son’s mental health needs. James Crumbley, 47, was convicted for purchasing the handgun used in the tragic November 2021 attack that claimed the lives of four individuals. This verdict comes after his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, 45, was also convicted of manslaughter in February, making them the first parents in the United States to be charged in connection with a mass school shooting carried out by their child.
The trial revealed that James Crumbley showed little emotion as the verdict was delivered in Oakland County court following a full day of deliberations. Their son, Ethan, committed the heinous act at the age of 15, taking the lives of Tate Myre, 16, Hana St Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17. Ethan is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Both James and Jennifer Crumbley face a potential minimum sentence of up to 10 years in prison with their sentencing scheduled for April 9. During the trial, it was disclosed that James failed to prevent his son from accessing a gun, as demonstrated by a disturbing drawing and phrases found on the teenager’s school assignment indicating his troubled state of mind.
Despite noticeable warning signs, the Crumbleys did not take immediate action or remove Ethan from the school premises after a concerning meeting. School officials also missed the opportunity to search his backpack, where the firearm was concealed. As the tragedy unfolded, James Crumbley was frantically searching for the weapon upon hearing news of the shooting.
In response to the devastating loss, Steve St Juliana, the father of victim Hana, emphasized the pressing need to address gun violence in the United States. Stating that more must be done to protect children from such senseless acts of violence, he called attention to the urgency of the matter amidst ongoing tragedies within the country.
The case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the necessity of proactive measures to safeguard young lives in educational settings. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the school shooting, advocates continue to call for stricter gun control measures and improved mental health resources to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.