Accused Michigan high school shooter Ethan Crumbley was hit Wednesday with adult first-degree murder, terrorism and assault charges, prosecutors said.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said at a press conference Wednesday that her office is also weighing charges against the teen’s parents, who purchased the gun for the 15-year-old.
“When the shooting started yesterday, the students and teachers and staff in the school had to act quickly to save their own lives,” McDonald told reporters.
“Law enforcement and all of the first responders had to act quickly to prevent more lives from being lost,” she said. “Last night and this morning we had to act quickly to review the evidence that has already been gathered.”
“Going forward from today, the process becomes more methodical,” she added.
Crumbley was charged with one count of terrorism, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm.
McDonald confirmed the alleged gunman’s name and said additional charges could still be forthcoming against him.
She said the teen had planned the attack “well before the incident.”
The teen is accused of killing four students and injuring seven others when he allegedly opened fire at Oxford High School, about 40 miles north of Detroit, on Tuesday.
His father purchased the 9mm Sig Sauer used in the shooting just four days earlier on Black Friday, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
McDonald said she was “considering charges against both parents.”
Crumbley had posted photos of the gun, and him firing it, in the lead-up to the school shooting, the sheriff added.
Investigators said they are still trying to determine a motive for the deadly shooting because the suspect isn’t speaking to them. However, some classmates have said Crumbley was bullied, according to reports.
Investigators say Crumbley’s parents, James and Jennifer, advised their son not to speak to authorities following his arrest. Police must get permission from a juvenile’s parents or guardian in order to speak with them, Undersheriff Mike McCabe said.
Three of the students who were killed in the shooting were identified Tuesday by authorities as 16-year-old Tate Myre, 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana and 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin. A fourth teen, Justin Shilling, 17, died of his wounds Wednesday.
Seven students, ranging from 14 to 17, were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, including several who were in critical condition. One 14-year-old girl was placed on a ventilator after surgery.
A teacher who received a graze wound to the shoulder left the hospital Tuesday after being treated, authorities said.
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