Authorities search for suspected Oxford shooter's parents after announcement of charges

Photo Credit: Oakland County Sheriff's Office

(OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich.) Law enforcement in Michigan as well as the U.S. Marshals are looking for James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, the suspected shooter Oxford High School shooter.

On Friday afternoon, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced that both James and Jennifer Crumbley would be charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. 

The announcement of charges on Friday comes two days after Ethan Crumbley, the suspected shooter was charged. 

Ethan Crumbley is charged with one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of a possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. 

On Friday, McDonald revealed more about events involving the Crumbley's in the days leading up to the shooting. 

In a news conference, McDonald said the suspected shooter was with his father when his father purchased that gun that was used in Tuesday's shooting at Oxford High School. 

There were also social media posts made by the suspected shooter showing the gun just days before Tuesday's tragedy. 

McDonald says that on November 26, the suspected shooters social media had a photo of a semi automatic handgun. 

According to McDonald the caption for the post read: "Just got my new beauty today."

Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of the suspected shooter also had a social media post about the gun. 

McDonald says that post read: "Mom and son day testing out his new Christmas present."

During the news conference McDonald also revealed that an Oxford High School teacher saw the suspected shooter searching ammunition on his cell phone while he was in class. 

The teacher reported that information to school officials. 

The high school left a voicemail for Jennifer Crumbley about her son's search on the internet. 

McDonald says school officials also said they emailed both of the suspected shooters parents after leaving that voicemail but did not a get a response. 

According to McDonald, Jennifer Crumbley texted her son about his internet search and said quote, "Lol, I'm not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught."

School officials also met with both the suspected shooter and his parents on the morning of November 30, 2021, the day the shooting happened. 

McDonald says the meeting happened after the suspected shooter's teacher saw a note on his desk that prompted her to take a picture because she found it alarming. 

According to McDonald there was a drawing with a semi-automatic handgun on the note. 

Prosecutors say the note said, "The thoughts won't stop. Help me."

McDonald says there was also a drawing of a bullet on the note. 

After the teacher reported this note, the suspected shooter was removed from the classroom by a school counselor and he was taken to the office to meet with school officials and his parents. 

School officials told the parents of the suspected shooter that they needed to get him into counseling within 48 hours. 

During the news conference, McDonald addressed the events on the morning of the shooting saying, "Both James and Jennifer Crumbley failed to ask their son if he had his gun with him or where his gun was located, and failed to inspect his backpack for the presence of the gun which he had with him."

McDonald says the suspected shooters parents left the school after the meeting without him and he was sent back to class. 

According to McDonald, Jennifer Crumbley texted her son on November 30th at 1:22 p.m. saying, "Ethan don't do it."

McDonald also said James Crumbley called 911 to report a gun missing from his house at 1:37 p.m. and said he believed his son was the shooter. 

According to McDonald, the Crumbley's did not securely store their gun, and instead left it unlocked in a drawer in their bedroom.

"I want to be really clear, that these charges are intended to hold the individuals who contributed to this tragedy accountable and also send a message that gun owners have a responsibility," said McDonald. "When they fail to uphold that responsibility there are serious and criminal consequences."

Four students were killed in Tuesday's shooting. 

Their names were Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, and Justin Shilling. 

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of James and Jennifer Crumbley is asked to call 911. 

The Oakland County Sheriff's office they have a black 2021 Kia Seltos SUV. 

The license plate on that care is DQG 5203.