TRIGGER WARNING: THIS WORK INVOLVES SUBJECTS OF VIOLENCE, DEATH, AND FIREARMS. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS BEFORE READING.
What Happened?
On Tuesday afternoon, a shooter opened fire at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan, killing 11 people. Four students were murdered, with a number of others wounded and seriously injured. Authorities eventually detained Ethan Crumbley, a 15-year-old student, in connection with the incident. He was charged with one crime of terrorism causing death and four counts of first-degree murder on Wednesday, and if convicted, he may face a life sentence. According to investigators, the gunman fired roughly 30 bullets with a semiautomatic pistol before being captured by deputies in the school corridor. The suspect, who had been in class earlier on Tuesday, "gave up without any difficulty," according to Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe.
What do we know about the victims?
Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Tate Myre, 16, were slain in a sheriff's squad car on their way to the hospital, according to officials. Justin Shilling, 17, a fourth-grader, died on Wednesday morning at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan.
Sheriff Bouchard stated of the deputy who loaded Tate into his cruiser, "There was no time to wait." His football team had recently awarded him awards as a linebacker and tight end.
More than 67,000 people have signed an online petition to rename the school's stadium after Tate Myre, who was recently honored by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association with an all-region accolade. According to the sheriff's office, three children remained hospitalized as of Wednesday night: a 17-year-old girl in serious condition and a 17-year-old and 14-year-old girl in stable condition.
What do we know about the suspect?
On Wednesday, the suspect was charged as an adult with one crime of terrorism causing death and four charges of first-degree murder, which if convicted may result in a life sentence. Prosecutors stated the suspect plotted the assault "long before the occurrence." The prosecutor, Ms. McDonald, stated, "I am quite certain after evaluating the evidence that it isn't even a close call." "It was meticulously planned." Because of the nature of the crime and her suspicion that it was planned, Ms. McDonald chose to prosecute the suspect as an adult. Prosecutors were going over "a pile of digital data" and evaluating whether or not to prosecute the boy's parents.
What was the aftermath?
Students claimed they left the building after the incident. To reconnect with their children, several parents went to a neighboring grocery shop. Residents of Oakland County announced a vigil and planned for funerals, while officials around the country expressed astonishment and voiced regret and frustration. Democrats reiterated their calls for additional action to decrease gun violence. "No one should be scared to go to school," stated Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in a statement. She went on to say during a press conference afterward. "This is every parent's greatest fear," says the author.