The actions of accused Michigan school gunman Ethan Crumbley‘s parents went “far beyond negligence,” a prosecutor weighing charges against the pair said Thursday.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said the 9 mm handgun the 15-year-old allegedly used to kill four students and wound seven others was “freely available” in the family home prior to the deadly rampage.
The teen’s father, James Crumbley, purchased the gun for his son on Black Friday.
“All I can say at this point is those actions on mom and dad’s behalf go far beyond negligence,” McDonald told WJR-AM radio.
“We obviously are prosecuting the shooter to the fullest extent,” she said. “There are other individuals who should be held accountable.”
“The parents were the only individuals in the position to know the access to weapons,” the prosecutor said, adding that the gun “seems to have been just freely available to that individual.”
McDonald first said at a press conference Wednesday that her office was “considering charges against both parents.”
Ethan Crumbley is charged as an adult with four counts of first-degree murder, terrorism and seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and is due back in court Dec. 13.
The teen had been cited for “disturbing” behavior twice in school, including the morning of the shooting, when his parents were called in for a meeting with administrators.
Crumbley was allowed to return to class and opened fire just hours later.
Asked about the school’s decision, McDonald said she “just can’t get to a space right now to blame anybody who worked at that school. They were terrorized.”
“Should there have been different decisions made? Probably they will come to that conclusion,” she said. “Again, I have not seen anything that would make me think that there’s criminal culpability.”
The teen surrendered when police arrived at the school and was taken into custody.
Ethan Crumbley posted a photo of the gun his father, James Crumbley, purchased for him on Black Friday. Instagram
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said on Dec. 1, 2021, her office was “considering charges against both parents.” FacebookOakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said Crumbley was told by his parents not to cooperate with authorities and hired him a lawyer.
A spokesperson for McDonald said in an email to The Post Thursday that there were no new details in the case being released at this point.
Crumbley’s parents did not respond to requests for comment from Associated Press.
With Post wires
