Oxford School Shooting: Ethan Crumbley Pleads Guilty To Terrorism and Murder Charges

Ethan Crumbley, the suspect in the November 2021 Oxford High School shooting, pled guilty Monday to 24 charges including four counts of first-degree murder and one count of terrorism resulting in death.

Hana St. Juliana, 15, Tate Myre, 16, Justin Shilling, 17, and Madisyn Baldwin, 17, were all shot and killed at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan on November 30, 2021. Six other students and a teacher were wounded.

Earlier on November 30, Crumbley was caught searching for ammunition on the Internet by a teacher. His mother told him that she was not mad, that he “just needed to hide it better.” Afterwards, a teacher discovered a drawing of a gun with phrases such as “blood everywhere” and “the thoughts won’t stop.” His parents decided not to take him home, but were ordered to seek mental health counseling within 48 hours. The shooting occurred only hours later.

His parents James and Jennifer Crumbley are both currently in the Oxford County Jail on charges of making the gun accessible to Crumbley and ignoring mental health treatment. Both James and Jennifer Crumbley were arrested and are currently housed in the Oxford County Jail. They have been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and have pled not guilty.

In January, Crumbley’s defense attorneys initially filed a notice that they were filing an insanity notice for the teen. His attorneys ultimately decided that a guilty plea was the best course of action and in his best interest.

Prosecutors earlier this year revealed that Crumbley reportedly had hallucinations of demons and was fascinated by guns and Nazi propaganda. It was also revealed through investigations of the Crumbley family home that he tortured and killed animals dating back to May 2021.

During the hearing Monday, Crumbley confirmed he found the gun he used in the shooting in an unlocked container in his home. He then reportedly brought it to school in his backpack and pulled it out while he was in the bathroom according to CNN.

In Michigan, a first-degree murder conviction typically leads to an automatic sentence of life in prison. However, because Crumbley is a teenager, his lawyers are able to argue for a shorter sentence and an opportunity for parole. This hearing is scheduled for February 9, 2023.

Alongside the counts of first-degree murder and terrorism causing death, Crumbley admitted to seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony according to ABC News.