Editorial and Opinion Page

Grieving Parents of Michigan School Shooting Victims Aim to Hold School Accountable

by Jude Mann

Both James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who maliciously shot and killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan, were recently found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The couple had bought their son the same gun he would use in the tragic event that occurred on November 30, 2021, and he would later plead guilty to a total of twenty-four criminal charges in connection with the event. Evidence shows that Oxford High School had contacted both Jennifer and James on the morning of the shooting, as their son had been caught drawing and writing disturbing images and messages on what should have been an educational assignment. The school’s officials claim that the two refused to take their son home, which the school believed was a way to err on the side of caution. The couple informed the school that they could not take Ethan home because they needed to return to work, and instead suggested that their son walk home, which he would occupy by himself. The school insisted that this was not a viable option as they were seemingly concerned for his mental health, so both sides reached an agreement. Jennifer and James would provide Ethan with mental help, but only after he completed his day of classes. 

The devastated parents of the four innocent lives lost rightfully claim that the conviction of James and Jennifer Crumbley is simply not enough and that the school should now face proper punishments. Last year, a third-party report regarding the school’s decision was released, but parents argue that the report’s findings do not demonstrate the school’s failure to take action. These recent efforts to hold Oxford High School accountable began after the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office stated that no additional criminal charges would be made against school officials.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office refusing to charge Oxford High School Officials is utterly disgusting. This is sadly another example of the legal system declining the opportunity to hold the United States government accountable, as a stable government-run public school district should have prevented such a tragedy. Most public high schools have the availability of hiring counselors who can treat students facing a mental health crisis, just as they do when hiring a school nurse to assist students with their physical needs. Oxford High School could have then easily sent Ethan to this counselor’s office or have chosen to call in a psychologist to sit with him in a private room to discuss whatever he may have been going through. Unfortunately, the school’s actions may simply be swept under the rug, as yet again, no major change will be made in the public school system to prevent another tragedy in the future. On the flip side, Ethan’s parents being charged will hopefully scare other parents into keeping tabs on their children’s mental well-being, as they were rightfully convicted. Currently,  however, the legal actions taken are not enough.