Judge Cheryl Matthews of Oakland County, Michigan sentenced James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of Ethan Crumbley, the shooter at Oxford High School, to serve between 10 to 15 years in prison each.

Following separate trials, both James and Jennifer Crumbley were found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the tragic events of November 30, 2021. On that day, their then-15-year-old son Ethan fatally shot Tate Myre, Justin Shilling, Hana St. Juliana, and Madisyn Baldwin, while also injuring seven others.

Addressing the court, James Crumbley extended his apologies to the families of the victims. Expressing profound sorrow, he acknowledged the irreparable loss suffered by the families and emphasized his genuine remorse. He concluded his statement with an assertion that the full truth regarding the incident had not been revealed.

Similarly, Jennifer conveyed her remorse, expressing deep regret for the harm caused by her son’s actions. The couple, who appeared together in court for the first time since the commencement of their legal proceedings, were initially united but later faced separate trials.

These trials have been noteworthy, marking the first instance in U.S. history where parents of a school shooter have been prosecuted for their child’s crimes. Ethan Crumbley’s case itself was exceptional, as he pleaded guilty to murder charges alongside a terrorism charge, resulting in a life sentence without parole at the age of 18.

Prior to delivering the sentencing, Judge Matthews paid tribute to each victim by name and reflected on the profound impact of the tragedy on the community. She noted that conventional sentencing guidelines fail to account adequately for the gravity of the circumstances and the devastation wrought upon the victims and their families.

During the trials, James Crumbley opted not to testify, while Jennifer’s testimony revealed her steadfast stance, expressing that she would not have acted differently given the chance.

Ethan Crumbley used a firearm purchased by his father, a 9mm SIG Sauer, in perpetrating the shooting. This purchase was even documented on social media by Jennifer, who described it as a Christmas gift for her teenage son, mere days before the tragic events unfolded.