A fourth student has passed away following Tuesday's fatal mass shooting at the Oxford High School in Michigan.
A fourth student has passed away following Tuesday's fatal mass shooting at the Oxford High School in Michigan.

Authorities charged parents James and Jennifer Crumbley with four counts each of homicide and involuntary manslaughter Friday morning in 52nd District Court in Rochester Hills, Michigan after their 15-year-old son killed four people in a school shooting at Oxford High School.

James Crumbley apparently purchased the gun — a Sig Sauer SP2022 9mm — that was used by his son. Jennifer Crumbley has shown support for former President Donald Trump’s stance on gun rights.

However, legal analyst for CNN Elie Honig said that it is rare for parents to be charged in these cases, let alone convicted. Though it may be hard to believe, many parents, relatives, and friends of mass shooters claim to be in shock, unaware that they were capable of such acts.

However, their son, Ethan Crumbley, posted to social media detailing his intention to murder people. Prosecutors will attempt to prove that his parents, in this case, were criminally negligent and that led to the deaths of four people at Oxford High School.

Ethan Crumbley is charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of fellow students Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16, Hana St. Juliana, 14, and Justin Shilling, 17. Another 17-year-old with a gunshot wound to the chest remains in critical condition.

Crumbley, who is being tried as an adult, is also charged with 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and one count of terrorism causing death. He pleaded not guilty in a Wednesday court appearance.

Students, parents, teachers, and community members gather for a vigil at the Lake Point Community Church following a shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan that left four students dead.

Students, parents, teachers, and community members gather for a vigil at the Lake Point Community Church following a shooting at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan that left four students dead. Photo: GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA via AFP / Matthew Hatcher

Though a motive for the shooting has not been identified, Ethan’s journal was found by authorities which detailed his desire to shoot up the school. It was also revealed that Crumbley attended a class before the shooting. More recent reports suggest that he is on suicide watch and will not answer questions.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan said in response to the shooting, “The death of multiple students and the shooting of many others, including a teacher, is horrific. No one should be afraid to go to school, work, a house of worship, or even their own home. Gun violence is a public health crisis that claims lives every day.”

So far, any attempt at federal legislation to curb the occurrence of mass shootings and school shootings has failed.