The Catastrophic Shooting at Oxford High School
On November 30th, 2021, at around 12:55 PM, Oxford High School, in Oxford, Michigan, became the site of a tragic school shooting. Ethan Crumbley, a 15-year-old high school sophomore, is the main suspect who allegedly shot 11 people, including a staff member, leading to 4 people dying and 7 others being wounded as of 12:00 AM on December 3rd, 2021.
Crumbley’s 4 victims were Hana St. Juliana (14 years old), Madisyn Baldwin (17 years old), Tate Myre (16 years old), and Justin Shilling (17 years old). Juliana and Baldwin were dead on the scene, Myre died in the sheriff’s squad car while rushing to the hospital, and Shilling died in McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan on the morning of December 1st. Of the 7 others who survived, the teacher and 3 students were admitted to hospitals and were discharged while the other 3 are in stable condition at various hospitals in the region.
When the police arrived on the scene and found Crumbley, they apprehended him easily. Michael McCabe, an undersheriff, said that Crumbley “gave up without any problems.” After many hours of looking through security footage, Sheriff Michael Bouchard said that the suspect’s targets “appeared random.”Investigators were not able to come up with any motive and the suspect’s parents were shielding him from questioning, on which Bouchard said “[The] person that’s got the most insight into the motive is not talking”.
Crumbley is currently being tried as an adult for one count of terrorism-causing death, and 4 counts of first-degree murder, which can result in a life sentence.
Additionally, the suspect's parents are also being charged with 4 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the deadly shooting. According to the Oakland County Sherrif Department, Crumbley used his dad's 9mm semi-automatic handgun that he had bought on Black Friday last week. Days prior to the shooting, his parents were notified by a school teacher that their son was searching for ammunition. Jennifer Crumbley allegedly texted her son in response: “LOL I’m not mad at you, you have to learn not to get caught.”
On Tuesday morning, the parents were called into a meeting with Ethan and administrators after a different teacher found a note on his desk with a drawing of a handgun and the words: “The thoughts won’t stop, help me.” The parents allegedly insisted Ethan Crumbley be allowed to return to class, and three hours later he carried out the massacre.
While the law focuses on the suspect, the school community is focusing on the victims. The school held a vigil for the victims of the shooting and 67,000 students have signed a petition to change the name of the school after Tate Myre, who received an all-region award from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also took a moment to address the tragedy that unfolded at Oxford High School. Whitmer called the incident “horrific” and “every parent’s worst nightmare”. She also called for more gun reform to try and lower this high number of school shootings we have in the United States each year. She also said that "... we need to focus on the community, the families, supporting all the first responders, including incredible people at our hospitals that are working so hard to save the lives of those who are fighting for their lives." President Joe Biden also addressed the tragedy, saying “My heart goes out to the families enduring the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one. That whole community has to be just in a state of shock right now.”
Various memorial funds and donations are being collected in support of the victim’s families and communities. Below are links if you are willing and able to donate in this time of tragedy: