Michigan high school shooting: Investigators reveal concerns about suspect’s behavior that led to tragedy
The first behavioral report came Monday, when “a teacher in a classroom where he was a student saw and heard something she found disturbing,” the Oakland County Sheriff said. , Michael Bouchard told Brianna Keilar on CNN’s “New Day.”
“And they had a consultation about this with school officials, and a phone call was sent back to the parents,” he said.
Then on Tuesday – hours before the shooting – “another teacher in another classroom saw some behavior that they found disturbing, and they took the child down to the office.” , had meetings with school officials, called parents, and it was ultimately determined that he could return to the classroom.”
Authorities said Crumbley soon opened fire outside a school bathroom. Prosecutors said he moved through the hallways at “methodical speed”, shooting at students in the hallways and classrooms before surrendering in the deadliest shooting at a K-12 school. USA since 2018 and the 32nd on this campus as of August 1st.
Bouchard declined to elaborate on the teachers’ concerns, adding that his department “has never been informed of the meeting prior to the shooting or had any concerns about conduct.” Because.”
Asked why Crumbley was allowed back into class on Tuesday, Bouchard said: “It will all be part of the investigation, into what they think, and why they think it’s the right move. “
When pressed by CNN, the sheriff declined to speculate on whether that information could have prevented the shooting.
Officials say cell phone videos refer to student killing
After the shooting, investigators found two videos on Crumbley’s cell phone – taken the night before the shooting – in which he talked about shooting and killing students at the school. high school, Police Chief Tim Willis said at Crumbley’s briefing on Wednesday.
Another piece of evidence that investigators discovered was a diary in Crumbley’s backpack detailing “his desire to bombard the school to include the murder of students,” Willis said.
Authorities said the weapon believed to have been used in the shooting, a Sig Sauer SP2022 9mm pistol, was purchased by Crumbley’s father four days before the shooting, Bouchard said Tuesday.
A photo of the pistol believed to have been used in the shooting was posted to the Instagram account a few days earlier, a law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the matter told CNN.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office believes the account belongs to Ethan Crumbley, the source said.
“I just got my new beauty today. SIG SAUER 9mm,” the reader captioned the post, which is no longer online but has been widely shared on social media.
CNN has been trying to reach Crumbley’s parents and is trying to identify their attorney and a new attorney for their son.
When asked if Crumbley’s parents knew what their son was writing or recording before the shooting or his access to a new weapon, Bouchard on Thursday told CNN: “We don’t have any information. Which shows that they know that this is the way he is headed. But… it’s a very active investigation. “
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said at a news conference that her office is determining whether Crumbley’s parents will be charged and she expects an announcement Friday afternoon.
McDonald’s has said that firearm ownership comes with legal responsibilities such as properly securing the gun and making sure ammunition is kept separate.
CNN pressed the prosecutor to talk about whether evidence was withdrawn to support potential charges and what charges are under review. The prosecutor declined to go into details, citing the investigation.
Bouchard told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Thursday night that detectives are still working on that aspect of the case while pointing out that neither the suspect nor his parents spoke to law enforcement. .
He pointed out that investigators were trying to figure out how the 15-year-old got the gun.
“If in Michigan someone gives someone a gun and they can’t legally possess it, that’s a crime in our state,” he said. “This person can’t carry or possess a handgun, so it would be a crime if they gave it to them. And, obviously, if he brought it into school, that’s another crime and they were involved in it.”
How the authorities say the shooting took place
In court on Wednesday, prosecutors said video from the school’s surveillance camera showed Crumbley with a backpack, then a minute later walking out of the bathroom without his backpack and with a gun. on hand.
According to prosecutor Marc Keast, Crumbley started shooting outside the bathroom. After students began to flee, he proceeded down the hallway at “methodical speed” and shot inside classrooms and at students who had not escaped, Keast said. That continued for another four or five minutes until he went into another bathroom, Keast said.
Video from the school shows the attacker shooting at victims at close range, often aiming for the head or chest, Bouchard told CNN.
When the delegates arrived, Crumbley lowered his gun and surrendered, authorities said.
Crumbley was charged with terrorism causing death and four counts of first-degree murder. He also faces seven counts of assault with intent to kill and 12 counts of possession of a firearm while serving a felony sentence, McDonald said.
“There’s a lot of digital evidence… there’s video, there’s stuff that’s been posted on social media, but you probably don’t have to see that to know how horrible it is to be around a student. another shot dead students. I mean, that’s terrorism,” McDonald told CNN of the terrorism allegations.
Addressing the first-degree murder charges, McDonald told reporters the charge “requires pre-settlement and I’m absolutely certain after looking at the evidence that it wasn’t even an assault.” close call that is completely pre-computed.”
Crumbley’s attorney, who represented him solely because of the arrangement, pleaded guilty on behalf of the teenager. The judge scheduled a probable cause hearing for December 13 and a preliminary hearing for December 20. He is being held at the Oakland County Jail.
Survivors deal with trauma and grief
As investigators scrutinize details from the shooting, student survivors are struggling to cope.
JaVon Pittman, a student at Oxford High School, said he covered up when the incident was revealed. “We put tables at the door, barricaded the doors, and we just turned off the lights and hid under the desk,” the 17-year-old told CNN Wednesday.
JaVon said he called his father while he was hiding and whispered that there was a shooting at his school. His younger brother, Jonte, was also at the school during the shooting and was able to escape.
JaMar Pittman, JaVon’s father, said: “It’s horrible to hear such a phone call.
JaVon and his father became emotional as they recalled the fear they both felt in that moment.
“You try to be there for your kids. You can’t be there for your kids, and you worry. And let you be their leader, their dad, their superhero, whatever. You can’t be. save my child. That’s,” JaMar Pittman said.
JaVon said two of the shooting victims were like brothers to him.
“I’m good friends with Justin (Shilling. He and I laugh about everything, we’re great. … Tate (Myre) is a great kid. He’s probably… the good guy.” best I could meet, besides my dad and outside of God,” JaVon said.
Zander Cumbey, a high school student, told CNN that Tate is a close friend of his, with whom he plays football.
“He’s a great person, a great leader,” he told CNN. “Always wanted to make sure everyone was okay and involved in all that they could.”
School shooting victims
Hana St. Juliana, 14, was a basketball player at Oxford High School.
“We will never forget your kind heart, silly personality and passion for the game,” the team wrote on Twitter. “Since 6th grade camping, you’ve stayed dedicated to Oxford Basketball, immersing yourself in the game.”
Justin Shilling passed away Wednesday morning, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said. Anita’s kitchen, where the 17-year-old works, says he is a co-captain of the bowling team, a devoted friend and “simply a joy to be around”.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time,” the statement read.
“This beautiful, intelligent, sweet loving girl was tragically taken from all of us today, leaving a huge hole in our hearts…” Mrs. Jennifer Graves Baldwin’s Mosqueda wrote on Facebook. “This horrible day could never have been imagined or planned for.”
And Tate Myre, 16, is a soccer player who has played for his school’s varsity team since he was a freshman, the team said in a tweet. He is also an honor student.
“Tate was a wonderful young man with a bright future and loved by all. You will miss him, Tate,” the group tweeted Tuesday night.
CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz reports from Oxford; Jason Hanna writes in Atlanta and Aya Elamroussi writes in New York. Caroll Alvarado, Kristina Sgueglia, Adrienne Broaddus, Amir Vera, Carolyn Sung, Laura Dolan, Leon Jobe and Taylor Romine contributed to this report.
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