Michigan is currently grieving the losses of four Oxford High School students ages 14-17 who were unfortunate victims of gun violence. Yet again, this headline takes America by storm. At around 1 pm. on November 30, 15 year old Ethan Crumbley began to open fire toward his classmates, killing four and wounding several others. What had unfolded before the shooting began is chilling, and unfortunately was not taken in consideration. Ethan Crumbley’s father, James, purchased a 9mm Sig Sauer SP 2022 from ACME Shooting Goods in Oxford. Apparently his son was with him, and this was considered by the family members a black Friday gift.

The next day during class, Ethan Crumbley’s teacher noticed him searching images of ammunition on Google and was concerned for him. She proceeded to find a note written by Ethan, which had the words “Blood Everywhere.” Shocked and appalled, she reached out to the school’s faculty, and Ethan was evaluated by a school psychologist. Being that Ethan’s note had portended that something awful was in the works, admins of Oxford High attempted to get in contact with Ethan’s parents, James and Jennifer but received no response.

As per ABC News’s Emily Shapiro:

“A prosecutor filed involuntary manslaughter charges Friday against the parents of a teen accused of killing four students at a Michigan high school, saying they failed to intervene on the day of the tragedy despite being confronted with a drawing and chilling message — “blood everywhere” — that was found at the boy’s desk.

James and Jennifer Crumbley committed “egregious” acts, from buying a gun on Black Friday and making it available to Ethan Crumbley to resisting his removal from school when they were summoned a few hours before the shooting, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said.”

I chose this article because it stood out to me, as I spent some time thinking about why this news story did not have as much coverage as others that we have heard of in previous years. Is there a secret or strategy to what makes the news? And is that strategy applied even in situations of tragedy? Additionally, here are some important things to know:

Ethan Crumbley is being charged as an adult.

James and Jennifer Crumbley have gone missing in action, are now considered fugitives, and there is a $10,000 reward for anyone that can provide information on their whereabouts.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/charging-decision-due-parents-oxford-high-shooting-81538316