THE missing parents of Oxford High School "shooter" Ethan Crumbley are on the run after getting charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Jennifer and James Crumbley are being charged after the murder and death of four students.
A prosecutor said the couple gave their 15-year-old son access to a gun which led to the fatal shooting that took place in Oxford High School on November 30, 2021.
A fugitive team comprised of The United States Marshals Service and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office began their search as the couple refused to surrender at 2pm on Friday.
The pair withdrew $4,000 from an ATM and turned off their phones after being charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of terrorism, officials revealed.
Read our Ethan Crumbley live blog for the very latest news and updates…
- Danielle Cinone
'UNREACHABLE'
Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe confirmed on Friday night that James and Jennifer Crumbley remain at large, Fox2 reports.
Oakland County Pros Office said: "The Crumbley’s are at large because they are continuously irresponsible.
"They promised to turn themselves in and did not.
"We have been in constant communication with sheriffs office investigators, and we are confident that the Crumbley‘s will be apprehended."
- Danielle Cinone
ETHAN'S PARENTS ON THE RUN?
Jennifer and James Crumbley were last seen by the public on Thursday when they tuned in to their 15-year-old son's virtual arrangement from a car after he was indicted on murder, terrorism, and assault charges in relation to his alleged rampage at Oxford High on Monday that left four dead and seven others injured, including a teacher.
In a statement to The Daily Beast, an attorney for the Crumbley family denied claims the couple is attempting to evade police, writing: "The Crumbleys left town on the night of the tragic shooting for their own safety. They are returning to the area to be arraigned.
"They are not fleeing from law enforcement despite recent comments in media reports."
Jennifer and James were charged with involuntary manslaughter on Friday after prosecutors claimed their actions went "far beyond negligence" in the days prior to their son's deadly massacre.
Under Michigan law, an involuntary manslaughter charge can be pursued if prosecutors believe someone contributed to a situation where harm or death was high. If convicted, they could face up to 15 years in prison.
- Danielle Cinone
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
As of early Friday evening, Ethan's parents' whereabouts are currently unknown.
The Oakland County Fugitive Team, along with the FBI and U.S Marshal Service are currently searching for Jennifer, 43, and James, 45.
It is not known whether there has been a mistake or if they're actively attempting to flee law enforcement.
Jennifer and James Crumbley had been scheduled to hand themselves over to police in Michigan at 2pm local time to each be arraigned in court on four counts of involuntary manslaughter.
- Danielle Cinone
WHAT IS ETHAN CRUMBLEY CHARGED WITH?
Ethan Crumbley is being charged as an adult in the shooting that killed Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16, and Justin Shilling, 17, and injured six others, including a teacher.
He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of terrorism causing death, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, have also been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
- Danielle Cinone
'NOTHING SEEMED OFF'
Eli said when he was living with his father, stepmom, and brother, “nothing seemed off.”
Although The Daily Mail reported that Eli was not inclined to discuss his family, he said his reasoning for moving back to Florida mostly had to do with his stepmother.
According to The Daily Mail, he only said, “(their relationship) wasn’t as great as it could be” and “moving back to Florida was the best option.”
Eli continuously described Ethan as happy and focused on getting good grades. He said his half-brother didn’t suffer from depression or anything else.
“He woke up happy, went to school, came home, and played games.”
He said he doesn’t know why Ethan carried out the shooting but added that he would like to talk to him, adding, “but I don't think that's something that's going to happen for a while.”
- Danielle Cinone
ETHAN DESCRIBED AS 'SIMPLE, QUIET BOY' BY HALF-BROTHER
Eli Crumbley’s description of Ethan was that he was a simple, quiet boy who enjoyed playing Minecraft.
He claimed there was no indication that Ethan was struggling with bullying, mental health, or was unhappy in any way.
“As far as I knew, Ethan was always good,” Eli told The Daily Mail. “He was just quiet, kept to himself, kept his circle of friends small. He was a clean kid, didn't smoke or do drugs, nothing.
“And he got good grades. He wanted to be an archeologist.”
- Danielle Cinone
ATM WITHDRAWAL
A law enforcement official told CNN that James and Jennifer withdrew $4,000 from an ATM on Friday.
They reportedly used an ATM in Rochester Hills, about 15 miles away from Oxford.
The official added that police had previously been able to track the couple through their phones but can no longer do it because their cells have been turned off.
- Danielle Cinone
WHAT DID ELI CRUMBLEY SAY ABOUT THE SHOOTING?
When Eli Crumbley found out his brother was the alleged shooter, he was shocked.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Mail on December 1, Eli said when he heard about the shooting, he immediately called his dad to make sure Ethan was alright.
“I was worried, I wanted to see if Ethan was okay because I knew he went (to Oxford High School),” Eli said. “And then that's when I was receiving information otherwise.”
His surprise mounted when he found out his father was the person who purchased the gun used in the shooting and said he “didn’t know (his father) had a gun till after this happened.”
- Danielle Cinone
OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL VIGIL SCARE
The crowd in a vigil for the victims of a high school shooting in Michigan were left in panic as a speaker urged them to "stay calm."
"Someone passed out. There is no threat, no concern," said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, informing the crowd that there had been a medical emergency.
The incident was captured as the video was live-streamed.
- Danielle Cinone
WHO IS ELI CRUMBLEY
Eli Crumbley, 18, shares a father with his half-brother, Ethan Crumbley, 15, and originally lived with them when his parents separated.
The family previously lived in Jacksonville, Florida where Eli’s mom also resided, but James and Eli’s stepmom eventually moved them to Oxford, Michigan.
After some time living with his father and stepmother, Jennifer, Eli said something “felt off” and moved back to Florida to live with his mom in March 2021, leaving Ethan behind.
- Danielle Cinone
INTENT TO FLEE?
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said on Friday: "The attorney, this morning, told us if charges were issued, and at that point, they had not (been), that she would make arrangements to have them arrested.
As authorities searched for the Crumbleys following the issuing of charges, Bouchard spoke out on CNN, according to ClickOnDetroit.
He said: "Given that their attorney said that they would handle this if charges were issued, and now they’re not responding to the attorney — it certainly is indicative of their intent to flee, which is certainly something we plan to stop very short.
"If — anyone in the public knows — where they are, or they see them, please call 911."
- Danielle Cinone
CASE OF CRUMBLEYS ADOPTED BY US MARSHALS
The US Marshals took to a Friday evening tweet to reveal they've "adopted the case of the search for James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of the accused Oxford HS (Mich.) shooter."
"The USMS Detroit Fugitive Apprehension team is working in conjunction with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on the search," the tweet explained.
- Danielle Cinone
SLEUTHS SUSPECT THE CRUMBLEYS DROVE TO CANADA
One Twitter user questioned: "How long have they been gone? They’re 2.5 hours from the Canada border."
In a follow-up tweet, she added: "They could’ve made it to Mexico by now."
Another wrote: "Oxford is about an hour from Windsor.
"But they may have already crossed the border in a more rural area, which is easy to do."
- Danielle Cinone
CRUMBLEYS 'BELIEVED TO BE DRIVING BLACK 2021 KIA SELTOS SUV'
NewsNationNow's Brian Entin tweeted a photo of the type of car the Crumbleys are believed to be driving in.
"The Crumbleys are believed to be driving a black 2021 Kia Seltos SUV with the Michigan license plate number DQG 5203," Entin wrote.
"If you see the car or them — call the Oakland County Sheriff's Office at 248-858-4911."
- Danielle Cinone
CROWD PANICS AT VIGIL FOR SHOOTING VICTIMS
Following brief panic at the Friday night vigil, one Twitter user wrote: "Oh my goosh. How frightening. Watching the #Oxford Vigil and a scare just occurred.
"The crowd panicked. Someone in the crowd passed out and an ambulance is called."
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter informed the crowd during a live stream that there had been a medical emergency.
He said: "Someone passed out. There is no threat, no concern."
- Danielle Cinone
ETHAN CRUMBLEY'S PARENTS CONSIDERED FUGITIVES
Ethan Crumbley's parents are now considered fugitives, Oakland Sheriff spokesperson Steve Huber revealed.
Huber said: "I know that…the lawyer for the parents said they are going to turn themselves in. We have not had that info relayed to us yet."
The Crumbleys' lawyer previously told The Daily Beast: "The Crumbleys left town on the night of the tragic shooting for their own safety.
"They are returning to the area to be arraigned.
"They are not fleeing from law enforcement despite recent comments in media reports."
- Danielle Cinone
VIGIL FOR OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING VICTIMS
During a Friday night vigil for the Oxford High School shooting victims, someone appeared to pass out, prompting panic.
"It was somebody that passed out we're all emotional… we're all on edge," a man told the crowd from the stage.
He added: "There's no threat, there's no concern
"It's not unusual in a large scale event when people standing still pass out."
- Danielle Cinone
'PREMEDITATED'
Prosecutor Karen McDonald said the shooting was premeditated, based on a “mountain of digital evidence” against Ethan Crumbley.
Crumbley was arraigned by video conference on Wednesday and was accompanied by his parents on the call.
He will be transferred from a juvenile detention center to Oakland County's adult jail, where he'll be sequestered and put under suicide watch.
Crumbley was charged Wednesday as an adult with one count of terrorism, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm.
He will be tried as an adult, prosecutors confirmed on Wednesday.
- Danielle Cinone
SECURITY FOOTAGE
Sheriff Bouchard said security footage from the school shows the gunman appeared to aim for the victims' head or chest.
Police said 15-year-old sophomore Ethan Crumbley came out of a bathroom shooting with a semi-automatic handgun, firing at students while moving down the hallway.
His father bought the 9 mm Sig Sauer gun last week, according to the sheriff.
Crumbley was arrested minutes later after putting his hands in the air.
Assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said Crumbley – who has pleaded not guilty – "deliberately brought the handgun that day with the intent to murder as many students as he could."
- Danielle Cinone
CHILLING NOTES
Ethan reportedly detailed his alleged desire to "open fire at the Oxford High School in Michigan and his classmates" in a journal.
During his arraignment on Wednesday, it emerged that the teen's phone and a journal were seized by law enforcement – and cops allegedly found chilling fantasies described on Ethan's device and written down.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Tim Willis said law enforcement searched the Crumbleys' home and found "two separate videos recovered from Ethan’s cellphone."
Speaking to Judge Nancy Carniak during Ethan's arraignment, Willis said the videos were "made by him the night before the incident, wherein he talked about shooting and killing students the next day at Oxford High School.”
Authorities also found Ethan's backpack and found a journal "detailing his desire to shoot up the school, to include murdering students," Willis said.
- Danielle Cinone
'GUN IN BACKPACK'
Shooting suspect Ethan Crumbley likely had a gun in his backpack during his parents' meeting with school officials just hours before the massacre.
Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said there was a “very strong possibility” the 15-year-old sophomore had the weapon during Tuesday's discussion about his alarming behavior.
Prosector McDonald explained that Oxford High School students were using backpacks rather than lockers due to COVID-19.
She added: "Unfortunately he was allowed to go back to class.
"We now know he had a weapon with him at that time, and that is simply tragic.”
Crumbley's parents James and Jennifer were charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter on Friday.
- Danielle Cinone
JENNIFER CRUMBLEY'S BIZARRE LETTER TO TRUMP
The mom of accused high school shooter Ethan Crumbley thanked Donald Trump for her "right to bear arms" in a bizarre letter before her son allegedly shot dead four classmates.
Jennifer Crumbley, 43, uploaded the letter to her blog in November 2016, pleading with the former president to "end Common Core" and revealing her son "struggles" at school.
She revealed that she was a supporter of Trump's border wall proposal, but countered that she was "not racist" because her grandfather "came straight off the boat in Italy."
"If you want to be here, work here, live here damnit [sic], f**king earn it and prove it," she added.
"As a female and a Realtor, thank you for allowing my right to bear arms," the letter continued. "Allowing me to be protected if I show a home to someone with bad intentions. Thank you for respecting that Amendment."
Jennifer also bemoaned Obamacare doubling her family's insurance premiums, writing the Crumbleys were "good f**king Americans that cannot get ahead.
"And what makes me sick, is people that come over here from other countries and get free everything," she added.
- Danielle Cinone
ETHAN CRUMBLEY HELD AT JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY
Ethan Crumbley is currently being held at a juvenile detention facility, where he has been placed on suicide watch – with someone checking on him every 15 minutes. He is set to be arraigned on Wednesday afternoon.
MacDonald called for better gun laws, saying: "If the incident yesterday with four children being murdered and multiple kids being injured is not enough to revisit our gun laws, I don't know what is."
Eight others, including a teacher, were injured in the shooting on Tuesday afternoon at the high school in Oxford, Michigan.
It emerged on Wednesday that it had a deer's head dumped on its grounds and was covered in red paint just days before the shooting.
Both the sheriff and undersheriff emphasized that Tuesday’s shooting was unrelated to the deer head or any earlier investigation by their office.
“That was a different incident, different student,” Undersheriff Mike McCabe said.
- Danielle Cinone
ETHAN CRUMBLEY'S PARENTS ATTENDED HIS ARRAIGNMENT
On Wednesday afternoon, the alleged shooter appeared in court via video for his arraignment.
Crumbley, who was sporting a white face mask and glasses, was seated with his hands handcuffed in front of him and wearing what appeared to be an anti-suicide vest.
His parents Jennifer and James also attended the arraignment via video.
The alleged gunman only spoke when asked by the judge to state his name and whether he understood the charges against him.
During the court hearing, prosecutors revealed that investigators recovered a video of Crumbley recorded the night before where he discussed killing students.
Crumbley was denied bail and will remain behind bars, isolated from other adult inmates.
The 15-year-old faces life in prison if found guilty.
- Danielle Cinone
'RESPONSIBILITY OF A GUN OWNER'
Before a Michigan prosecutor filed four counts of involuntary manslaughter charges against each of Ethan Crumbley's parents on Friday, prosecutor Karen McDonald said:
"With the right of owning a gun comes responsibility and the responsibility of a gun owner is to secure that weapon and to keep it out of the hands of somebody who could kill people.
"We can provide all the training and put up metal detectors and try to flag behaviors that are concerning in children.
"But at the end of the day, if we don’t make gun owners responsible for their possession, which most people who own guns do and are in favor of, we all should be responsible.
"Because if that had be done here, four children would still be here. A community wouldn’t be terrorized and several other children wouldn’t be injured."
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