Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, were sentenced to prison after being found guilty of manslaughter related to a school shooting. The sentencing followed emotional statements from victims’ parents in an Oakland County courtroom.
Ethan, who was 15 years old at the time, committed the shooting at Oxford High School in 2021, resulting in four deaths and several injuries.
Jennifer Crumbley expressed regret, saying she had no prior indication of her son’s potential for violence. James Crumbley also expressed sorrow for the harm caused by their son’s actions.
Despite their apologies, the court emphasized their responsibility in allowing Ethan access to the gun used in the shooting and ignoring signs of his declining mental health.
Prosecutors argued that the parents’ negligence contributed to the tragedy, alleging they gave Ethan a handgun and disregarded concerning behavior.
Legal precedent set as first parents charged (Via Josh Starc/Getty Images)
The trial highlighted the role of parents who own guns in preventing school violence. The Crumbleys’ case is significant as the first instance of parents facing manslaughter charges for a school shooting committed by their child.
Advocates for gun safety stress the importance of responsible gun ownership. Ethan obtained the gun from his father, who had purchased it as a Christmas gift shortly before the shooting.
The incident underscored the importance of closely monitoring children’s behavior and mental well-being.
Furthermore, the Crumbleys’ failure to take effective action despite warnings from the school about Ethan’s behavior and the need for counseling highlighted their negligence. This failure allowed Ethan to carry out the tragic event, resulting in devastating consequences.
