Hours after being charged with involuntary manslaughter, police are searching for Ethan Crumbley’s parents. As Mamas Uncut previously reported, four days after 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley opened fire inside his Michigan high school, his parents were charged for their role in the shooting.
According to reports, Crumbley used a gun that was given to him as a Christmas gift from his parents. He has been charged as an adult with murder, terrorism, assault, and weapons possession charges.
Police Are Searching for Ethan Crumbley’s Parents After They Are Charged With Manslaughter
According to The New York Post, Crumbley was in possession of a 9mm Sig Sauer which was purchased just four days before Ethan brought it to school by his father.
According to NBC News, involuntary manslaughter charges can be sought “if prosecutors believe someone contributed to a situation where harm or death was high.” Jennifer and James Crumbley could face up to 15 years in prison should they be found guilty.
Top prosecutor Karen McDonald said that Ethan appeared to have “free access to the gun” he used. “If you own a weapon or possess a weapon and you knowingly allow someone to have free access to it, who you have reason to believe might use it to injure somebody, that is willful and it’s gross negligence and there are lots of criminal consequences for that,” McDonald added.
According to Today, while law enforcement is searching for the Crumbley’s, their lawyers claim they are not fleeing. According to their statement, Jennifer and James left their home the night of the shooting “for their own safety.’
“They are not fleeing from law enforcement despite recent comments in media reports.” According to law enforcement, the 15-year-old’s parents may be driving a black 2021 Kia Seltos SUV with a Michigan license plate.
As WAAY 31 reported, text messages sent by the mother to Ethan have been made public. As McDonald revealed a picture of the gun was shared by Jennifer on social media, as did Ethan. Jennifer described it as “his new Christmas present” and Ethan called it, “my new beauty.”
According to WAAY 31, one of Ethan’s teachers found him searching for ammunition on his phone during class the day before the shooting. After reporting it to school officials Jennifer was contacted. Jennifer never responded to the school but texted her son about it.
“Jennifer Crumbley exchanged text messages about the incident with her son on that day, stating, quote, ‘LOL, I’m not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught.’ End quote,” McDonald said.
On the day of the shooting, a teacher discovered a note on Ethan’s desk that shook her to the core. “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me,” Ethan reportedly wrote along with a drawing of a gun. Another drawing depicted a bullet with the words “blood everywhere.”
“Below that figure is a drawing of a laughing emoji,” McDonald said. Also found on the note, according to McDonald, “My life is useless” and “The world is dead.”
After the teacher alerted officials to the drawing, his parents were called into school. As reports revealed, Ethan altered the drawing by scratching it out. Jennifer and James were told to get Ethan counseling within 48 hours.
McDonald said before leaving the school, they allegedly never asked to see the gun or “inspect his backpack for the presence of the gun which he had with him,” WAAY 31 reported. Jennifer and James left while Ethan was sent back to class. Shortly thereafter, Ethan opened fire.
Another text message from Jennifer to Ethan read, “Ethan, don’t do it.” And James called 911 to report the gun missing and to tell authorities his son might be the shooter.
Ethan’s actions claimed the lives of four of his classmates and injured others. The victims have been identified as Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16, and Justin Shilling, 17.
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