Father of Michigan school shooter found guilty, faces 15 years in prison

James Crumbley, the father of the teenager Ethan Crumbley who carried out the deadly shooting at a Michigan high school in 2021, has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The tragedy left four students dead and several others injured. This verdict follows closely on the heels of similar charges against the shooter’s mother, Jennifer Crumbley.

At a news conference, county prosecutor Karen McDonald commended the families for their resilience in the face of immense tragedy and grief. “This verdict cannot replace their children, but it represents accountability and a step towards ending gun violence,” McDonald stated.

Defense attorney Mariell Lehman acknowledged the deep remorse James Crumbley feels over the school incident. Both he and his wife face between 10 to 15 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for April 9. “We’re disappointed by the verdict, but we recognize the jury’s challenge,” Lehman said to The Associated Press.

Prosecutors in court argued that the Crumbleys neglected clear warning signs and criticized their failure to secure the firearm used in the shooting. They emphasized the parents’ neglect of a disturbing drawing on Ethan’s math homework hours before the shooting and the teen’s access to a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun, bought by James just four days prior.

In 2021, Ethan took the Sig Sauer from his backpack and started shooting, killing Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Tate Myre, 16, on the same day. Additionally, six students and a faculty member were wounded. He was sentenced to life in prison.

According to The New York Times, this case marks the first instance in the U.S. where parents have been directly charged for deaths resulting from a mass shooting conducted by their child.