Father of Ethan Crumbley, James Crumbley, convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection to son’s school shooting

A jury in Pontiac, Michigan convicted James Crumbley of involuntary manslaughter in connection with his son Ethan’s deadly school shooting in 2021. This landmark case marked the first time in the U.S. that parents of a mass school shooter were held criminally responsible. Ethan, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. James and Jennifer Crumbley were both charged with involuntary manslaughter, and James is facing up to 15 years in prison for each of the four counts representing the students killed in the attack. Prosecutors argued that James had purchased a gun for Ethan as a gift without knowing about the attack beforehand.

Prosecutors stated that the parents could have prevented the tragedy if they had taken even the smallest measures to ensure the safety of the students. Their son had expressed warning signs in journal entries, but the parents failed to intervene effectively. Parents of the victims spoke out after the guilty verdict, emphasizing the need for action to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They criticized the lack of safety measures in schools and called for changes in leadership. While the cases against James and Jennifer Crumbley were similar, with many of the same witnesses testifying, James did not testify on his own behalf like Jennifer had.

During the trial, testimony revealed that school staff had called the Crumbleys to the school in the morning of the shooting due to a concerning drawing made by Ethan, but the parents failed to disclose that he had access to a weapon. James Crumbley, who worked for DoorDash at the time, was shown to have driven by the family home multiple times after being notified of the drawing. It was suggested that he had the opportunity to check on the gun and ensure it was safely stored. Crumbley later admitted to hiding the handgun in an armoire and placing the ammunition in a separate drawer. These actions played a critical role in the events leading up to the shooting.

Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized during closing arguments that the deaths of the students could have been prevented if Crumbley had made even minor efforts to intervene. She refuted claims that the case was about gun ownership or parental responsibility, instead asserting that it was about the failure to act on warning signs. The tragic consequences of the shooting underscored the need for parents to take responsibility for their children’s actions and ensure that they do not have access to weapons. The guilty verdict against James Crumbley marked a significant step in holding individuals accountable for preventing mass shootings in schools.

Following the verdict, Jennifer Crumbley’s attorney declined to comment, stating that the victims, their families, and the community needed space to heal from the tragedy. The families of the victims expressed their desire for change to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The case highlighted the importance of recognizing warning signs and taking proactive measures to address potential threats. The conviction of James Crumbley serves as a reminder of the need for increased vigilance and responsibility in safeguarding against school violence.