James Crumbley, the father of Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley, referred to himself as a “martyr” during jail calls obtained by Fox News Digital. Both James and his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for their roles in the school shooting carried out by their then-15-year-old son in November 2021. James expressed a sense of martyrdom in his calls, stating that he and his wife were fighting to ensure such tragedies do not occur again in America. He also used profane language and insults against Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.
Parts of James’ jail calls were read aloud in court during his sentencing hearing, highlighting moments where he appeared to threaten McDonald. The Crumbleys are the first parents of a school shooter in U.S. history to be charged and convicted for their child’s crimes. Despite the aggressive language used in his calls, James’ defense attorney argued that he did not physically threaten the prosecutor but was simply venting his frustrations. James later addressed the court during his sentencing, expressing sorrow and devastation for the families affected by the shooting.
Ethan, now 18, used a gun purchased by James to carry out the school shooting, which resulted in the deaths of four students and injuries to seven others. Prosecutors revealed that the firearm was not secured properly in the Crumbleys’ home and that Ethan had displayed concerning behavior leading up to the shooting. The parents had the opportunity to intervene before the shooting took place, as they were called to the school to meet with counselors regarding Ethan’s behavior, but they left him there and returned to work.
After the shooting, the Crumbleys allegedly fled Oxford and were later apprehended by U.S. Marshals with cash in Detroit. The day before the shooting, Ethan had made a video detailing his plans for the next day, indicating premeditation. The events surrounding the shooting have led to civil lawsuits against the elder Crumbleys and school administrators, claiming they failed to prevent the tragedy. Jennifer Crumbley, James’ wife, also faced trial and was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The aftermath of the Oxford High School shooting has generated significant legal repercussions for both the Crumbleys and the school district.
