Testimony reveals concerns about michigan school shooter before tragedy

Concerns about Ethan Crumbley's mental state were expressed long before the Michigan teenager committed a school shooting that resulted in the death of four students in 2021, as revealed by the testimony of a counselor at the trial of the assailant's mother.

Testimony of Shawn Hopkins

The counselor, Shawn Hopkins, testified that he had been made aware of Crumbley's distress through a teacher's email, in which the student expressed feeling terrible and referred to his family as a mistake in a September 2021 assignment. Hopkins also stated that another teacher had informed him about Crumbley "having a rough time" two months later and suggested he might need to speak to a counselor.

Actions preceding the attack

Hopkins disclosed that he addressed Crumbley in a brief hallway meeting, offering support and a listening ear but did not contact the teenager's parents at the time. The counselor was called to testify preceding the November 30, 2021, attack, during which Crumbley, then 15 years old, opened fire at Oxford High School. Hopkins also shared that he had reached out to the shooter's parents about a violent drawing discovered a few hours before the attack.

Charges and allegations

The trial, taking place in Oakland County court, has drawn attention to the actions of Jennifer Crumbley, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors allege that she and her husband were grossly negligent and could have prevented the tragedy if they had addressed their son's mental health concerns and made the gun inaccessible at home. Her husband, James Crumbley, 47, will stand trial in March. The couple is notably the first parents in the U.S. to be charged in a mass school shooting committed by their child.

Role of the stable operator

In addition to the counselor's testimony, the trial featured the operator of an Oxford-area horse stable, who shared messages exchanged with Jennifer Crumbley on the day of the shooting and in the aftermath. The messages indicated that the Crumbleys were more concerned about their horses than their son, with Jennifer Crumbley expressing the need to raise cash quickly after the shooting and offering to sell a horse for $5,000.

Revelation of school drawing

Moreover, Jennifer Crumbley shared a photo of her son's school drawing with the stable operator, which depicted a gun, a bullet, and the words "The thoughts won't stop. Help me." The operator, Kira Pennock, later expressed her shock upon learning about the school shooting, noting that it was not normal for someone to draw such images on a school test or to have such thoughts in a school setting.

Implications and discussions

The ongoing trial has shed light on the events leading up to the tragic school shooting and the role of the assailant's parents. It has also sparked discussions about the responsibility of parents in addressing their children's mental health issues and ensuring the safety of firearms at home.