Ethan Crumbley: Sheriff says suspect was ‘looking forward’ to attack as parents appear in court

Jennifer and James Crumbley were each charged with four counts of manslaughter on Friday, three days after their son Ethan allegedly carried out a deadly massacre at his school in Oxford, Michigan.

The Independent’s Josh Marcus explains what we know about the couple:

Oakland County’s Fugitive Apprehension team is reportedly searching for Jennifer and James Crumbley to arrest them on charges of involuntary manslaughter.

A judge signed off on the charges just after 12pm on Friday, after which authorities said they would perform arrests.

However, as of 3pm the parents have not been located and have stopped communicating with their attorney, The Detroit News reported.

James and Jennifer Crumbley’s attorney, Shannon Smith, told police she hasn’t been able to reach them since charges were filed.

Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said his team spoke to Ms Smith earlier on Friday.

“Their attorney had assured us that if a decision was made to charge them, she would produce them for arrest,” Mr McCabe said.

After the charges were approved by a judge, McCabe said: “Our last conversation with the attorney was that she had been trying to reach them by phone and text, and they were not responding.”

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard shared his belief that James and Jennifer Crumbley are on the run as a fugitive team continued efforts to find the couple.

He told CNN their apparent lack of contact with their attorney indicates “their intent to flee”.

Mr Bouchard said the FBI and the US Marshal Service have joined the search, adding: “If they think they are going to get away with it, they are not.”

The Oakland County Sheriff’s office issued an alert asking the public for help in locating James and Jennifer Crumbley.

The alert featured new photos of the couple, who are believed to be driving a black 2021 Kia Seltos SUV with the Michigan license plate number DQG 5203.

“The action of fleeing and ignoring their attorney certainly adds weight to the charges. They cannot run from their part in this tragedy,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.

Lawyers for James and Jennifer Crumbley denied the couple are on the run as authorities seeking to serve them with search warrants said they were missing.

Attorneys Shannon Smith and Mariell Lehman told The Independent:

“On Thursday night we contacted the Oakland County prosecutor to discuss this matter and to advise her that James and Jennifer Crumbley would be turning themselves in to be arraigned.

“Instead of communicating with us, the prosecutor held a press conference to announce charges.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 Crumbley’s arraignment will likely be postponed as the court has closed for the day.

Court clerk Amy Luce told CNN if the couple were not in custody by 4.30pm ET, there would be no arraignment today.

If they are taken into custody later tonight or tomorrow they could be arraigned from the Oakland County Jail, Ms Luce said.

A tight-knit community in Michigan is mourning the loss of four students allegedly killed by a classmate who opened fire indiscriminately in the halls of their high school.

Three students were confirmed dead hours after the shooting at Oxford High School on Tuesday: Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and 14-year-old Hana St Juliana.

A fourth student, 17-year-old Justin Shilling, succumbed to injuries in a hospital on Wednesday.

The Independent’s Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has more:

The family of Justin Shilling, a 17-year-old who died Wednesday from injuries sustained during the shooting, released the following statement on Friday:

“As the community we have loved and lived in reels from this tragedy we as a family have to mourn the loss of our son. Justin Charles who was so dear to our hearts was at the same time beloved of so many people in his school and his community. He was a Grandson, a brother, a cousin, a classmate, and without hesitation, a friend. The loss of Justin leaves such a gaping hole in our family that we cannot conceive of life without him. Our hearts are broken and yet still go out to the other families suffering this very same loss at this very same moment and which is beyond imagination, nothing any family should have to endure.

“As a family we would like to appeal to the public to keep the importance of what has been lost here in the forefront of our minds and the news. These are beautiful children’s lives, full of potential and with the expectation of so much more to come. Justin was a scholar, part of Oxford School Districts Baccalaureate program and a university scholarship awardee. He was a tireless worker with three jobs that he juggled along with his studies. He was lettered athlete and had bowled on the Oxford High School bowling team. His potential was boundless in life and yet in death he continues to give of himself as an organ doner. We feel the world can’t have too much of Justin.

“In closing we would just like to send our most sincere condolences to all the families involved in this tragedy and can say assuredly that we DO know your pain. And to the community thank you all for the out pouring of love and prayers. We can never express the gratitude we have in our hearts.”

Ethan Crumbley’s parents, who were charged with involuntary manslaughter today for their alleged failure to stop the school shooting in Oxford, Michigan, are officially fugitives, according to Oakland County undersheriff Michael McCabe.

The pair, who purchased the gun for the 15-year-old and helped him learn to use it, were scheduled to be arraigned at 4:30 pm ET at the latest on their charges.

Now, a fugitive task force is searching for them.

The pair’s attorneys, however, have denied they’re on the run.

Attorneys Shannon Smith and Mariell Lehman told The Independent earlier today:

“On Thursday night we contacted the Oakland County prosecutor to discuss this matter and to advise her that James and Jennifer Crumbley would be turning themselves in to be arraigned.

“Instead of communicating with us, the prosecutor held a press conference to announce charges. 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.”