Michigan school shooting: Parents of suspect Ethan Crumbley ‘on the run’
Police have launched a manhunt after the parents of suspected Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley fled after being charged with manslaughter.
The parents of Ethan Crumbley have been charged with involuntary manslaughter after allegedly ignoring warning signs and instead texting him:“ LOL, I’m not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught.”
Days later, the 15-year-old allegedly opened fire at Oxford High School in Michigan, killing four students and injuring seven others.
James and Jennifer Crumply were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. They face 15 years in prison if convicted.
Hours after the couple were charged, it emerged they were ‘in the action of fleeing” according to local authorities.
A statewide BOLO - Be on the Lookout - was issued for the couple on Friday, local time.
“We have our Fugitive Apprehension Team, the FBI and the US Marshall Service and others actively looking for them and have every expectation we’ll have them in custody soon,” Oakland Country Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
“The action of fleeing and ignoring their attorney certainly adds weight to the charges. They cannot run from their part in this tragedy.”
Prosecutor Karen McDonald told reporters that the school warned Mr and Mrs Crumbley about their son’s behaviour after teachers allegedly found Ethan’s internet history showing a search for ammunition.
“LOL I’m not mad at you, next time just don’t get caught,” Mrs Crumbly is alleged to have texted him.
The next day, teachers allegedly found a note in Ethan’s desk with a sketch of a gun and the message: “The thoughts won’t stop, help me.”
Despite the warnings, Ms McDonald said the parents fought to have their son return to class.
While no Michigan law requires guns to be locked away from children, prosecutors can pursue charges if there is evidence someone significantly contributed to a situation resulting in death.
Ms McDonald said after hearing reports of an active shooter at the school, Mrs Crumbly texted her son “Don’t do it, Ethan”.
Mr Crumbly, meanwhile, called 911 to report a gun was missing after hearing about the active shooter at his son’s school, authorities said.
Police said that Mr Crumbley had bought the nine-millimetre Sig Sauer semiautomatic handgun just days earlier on November 26, the Black Friday shopping holiday.
His son posted a picture of the gun on his Instagram page, writing: “Just got my new beauty today”, and police said he recorded a video on his cell phone saying he was planning to launch an attack at the school the next day.
He has been charged as an adult for murder, attempted murder and terrorism for the shooting about 30 miles (50 kilometres) north of Detroit.
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