Pontiac, Michigan – After securing a guilty conviction against the father of the Oxford school shooter, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office announced that they would not be filing criminal charges against any school officials regarding their actions prior to the 2021 massacre.
Assistant Prosecutor David Williams stated that the evidence did not support criminal charges against any school district employees. The decision comes after James Crumbley was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the deaths of four students at Oxford High School. The shooter, his son, used a gun bought by his father just days before the tragic incident.
Following the verdict, the parents of the four students who lost their lives expressed outrage at the school, emphasizing the need for accountability from school officials. They are currently involved in legal action against the school.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald affirmed that the commitment to hold everyone accountable remains strong in the aftermath of the verdict. She acknowledged the need to address concerns raised by the parents regarding the school officials’ actions leading up to the shooting.
Despite the parents’ frustrations with the school officials’ handling of the situation, charges have been ruled out. The controversies surrounding the decisions made by two school officials, Counselor Shawn Hopkins and Dean of Students Nicolas Ejak, have been at the forefront of discussions. Concerns were raised about their interactions with the shooter before the tragic events unfolded.
The school counselors had contacted the shooter’s parents after discovering a disturbing drawing, but ultimately allowed him to return to class without further investigation. While various warning signs were present, including the student’s behavior and activities prior to the shooting, the lack of action from the school officials has been a point of contention.
James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents held accountable for the tragic events, are set to be sentenced soon. Their son, Ethan Crumbley, who carried out the shooting, has already been sentenced to life in prison. The case is unprecedented, marking the first instance of parents facing criminal responsibility for a mass school shooting involving their child.