Charges against parents of Michigan school shooter

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The parents of the suspect in the Michigan school shooting have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, according to documents filed Friday.

James and Jennifer Crumbley are each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the four deaths. The semi-automatic gun used in the shooting was purchased by James Crumbley last week, four days before the shooting.

"The parents were the only individuals in the position to know the access to weapons," said Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald on Thursday, adding the parents went "far beyond negligence."

Ethan Crumbley, the suspect, allegedly killed four students and injured seven other people, including a teacher. Crumbley has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of terrorism that resulted in death, seven counts of assault with the intent to kill, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Crumbley has pleaded "not guilty" to all counts.

In a press conference Friday, McDonald also revealed text messages were found on Jennifer's phone urging her son "not to do it" when she learned there was an active shooter on the campus.

A separate text to Crumbley from his mother said she was not mad at him but mentioned he would "have to learn not to get caught," according to Lt. Tim Willis of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

School officials said they met with Crumbley and his parents the morning before the shooting because of "disturbing" behavior. However, no disciplinary action was needed, according to Oxford Community Schools Superintendent Tim Throne.

"There's been a lot of talk about the student that was apprehended. That he was, you know, called up to the office and all that kind of stuff. No discipline was warranted. There are no discipline records at the high school. Yes, this student did have contact with our front office. And yes, his parents were on campus Nov. 30," Throne said.

Crumbley was allegedly called to the principal's office Tuesday when a teacher found a drawing of a handgun done by Crumbley. There was also text next to the drawing that read, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me," according to McDonald.

No motive for the shooting has been released. However, McDonald believes there is enough evidence to prove the attack was premeditated. Records from Crumbley's phone allegedly show that he was talking about shooting students at the school in a video made the night before.

Another recent piece of evidence was a journal in Crumbley's backpack in which he allegedly wrote about shooting people at the school, including killing some students.

It is not clear how much the parents knew about the videos or the journal, but James Crumbley immediately went to find his gun when he heard of a possible shooter at his son's high school. When he discovered it was missing, he called 911 to tell them his son could be the shooter.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said how much the parents knew ahead of the shooting is part of the investigation.

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