2021 Oxford High School Shooting

On November 30, 2021, a tragic mass shooting occurred at Oxford High School in Oxford Township, Michigan. Fifteen-year-old sophomore Ethan Crumbley opened fire with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, killing four students and injuring seven others, including a teacher. The victims were Madisyn Baldwin (17), Tate Myre (16), Hana St. Juliana (14), and Justin Shilling (17).

Earlier that day, school officials had met with Ethan and his parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, after discovering violent drawings and concerning behavior. Despite these warning signs, Ethan was allowed to return to class, and his backpack was not searched. Later, he retrieved the handgun from his backpack and carried out the attack.

Ethan Crumbley was charged as an adult with 24 counts, including first-degree murder and terrorism. He pleaded guilty in October 2022 and was sentenced in December 2023 to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 24 years.

In a groundbreaking legal development, Ethan's parents were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, marking the first time parents were held criminally responsible for a school shooting committed by their child. Jennifer Crumbley was convicted in February 2024, and James Crumbley followed in March 2024. Both were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison.

The case also led to multiple lawsuits against the Oxford Community School District, alleging negligence in failing to prevent the tragedy. However, in March 2023, a judge dismissed all suits against the district, citing governmental immunity and determining that the shooter's actions were the direct cause of the harm.

This incident has sparked nationwide discussions on gun control, school safety, and parental accountability in preventing such tragedies.