After a frantic manhunt involving United States (US) Marshalls, parents of alleged Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley were arrested in Detroit.
Parents of Ethan Crumbley arrested after nationwide manhunt
James and Jennifer Crumbley were the most wanted fugitives after they’d failed to show up for a court hearing on Friday, where they faced four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the Michigan school shooting incident allegedly perpetuated by their son, Ethan.
All resources, including two R160 000 ($10 000) rewards, were focused on the manhunt and within 24 hours, the parents were caught hiding inside an abandoned building in Detroit, on Saturday morning, according to Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
From what we understand, the couple had made every effort to evade capture, even going as far as switching off their cellphones and making a large withdrawal totalling more than R64 500 ($4 000) in a possible bid to flee the country.
However, their efforts would prove futile since in a span of 24 hours, the two fugitives were nabbed.
“We wish to thank all of the agencies that assisted Detroit and our fugitive apprehension team on scene including Border Patrol, MSP, U.S. Marshals,” the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook.
James and Jennifer are expected to appear for their court hearing later on Saturday and could be held without bail.
Michigan school shooter: Here’s what we know
Ethan’s parents have been added to the court roll as complicit participants in the deadliest US school shooting of 2021. Their 15-year-old son, Ethan, was identified as the person behind the shooting incident that took place at Oxford High School on Tuesday 1 December 2021, where four pupils, Tate Myre, 17, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Justin Shilling, 17, and Hana St. Juliana, 14, were killed and more than six others injured.
As reported by Daily Beast, the death toll may rise since two students who were struck are in critical condition.
At this time, investigations into the mass murder have yielded evidence that proves Ethan was gifted with a semi-automatic Sig Sauer 9mm, by his father on Black Friday, despite clear warnings of his son’s instability and signs that he had a high propensity to cause harm to his fellow pupils.
From what we understand, Ethan has been charged with terrorism, first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, and possession of a firearm, and has refused to cooperate with authorities.