This morning, parents of school shooting victims in Michigan are shifting their focus to the Oxford School District following the guilty verdict of James and Jennifer Crumley for involuntary manslaughter in the mass shooting carried out by their son.
The attention is now turning towards the school and its perceived failures. During the trial, it was revealed that the shooter, Ethan, had exhibited concerning behaviors at school, including violent writings, without any disciplinary action taken by the school. Additionally, on the day of the shooting, Ethan was in the counselor's office with a heavy backpack that raised suspicions, but no further action was taken.
Despite these warning signs, the school did not inform the parents about Ethan's behavior, leading to a sense of betrayal and negligence on the part of the school district. The parents of the victims are now seeking justice from the school, believing that proper intervention could have prevented the tragic events.
While the Crumleys were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, the issue of governmental immunity has prevented the parents from pursuing civil cases against the school. However, they are now appealing this decision in hopes of holding the school accountable for its alleged failures.
County Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized that the tragedy could have been prevented with minimal effort from the parents, highlighting the devastating impact on the victims' families and the entire Oxford community.
As the legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims will have the opportunity to deliver victim impact statements, adding to the emotional weight of the situation. The verdict against the Crumleys marks a significant legal precedent, holding a parent accountable for their child's actions in a mass school shooting.
