AFTER their son, Ethan Crumbley, was charged as an adult for allegedly perpetrating the Oxford High School shooting, James and Jennifer Crumbley also gained national attention.
A preliminary investigation found that James Crumbley bought the weapon used in the shooting just four days before it happened.
The Crumbleys were also at the school with their son meeting with administrators about Ethan’s behavior just hours before the shooting.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael J Bouchard said there was no report of the suspect, Ethan Crumbley, being bullied at school.
"There is nothing that he could have faced that would warrant senseless, absolutely brutal violence on other kids,” he said.
The couple appeared at their son’s arraignment via Zoom in which the 15-year-old was charged as an adult.
Since then, many have wanted to learn more about the Crumbleys as the investigation into the shooting continues.
MOM TEXTED ETHAN ‘DON’T DO IT’
When news of an active shooter at the school became public, Jennifer reportedly texted her son, "Ethan, don't do it."
But by then, the shooting had already happened.
Oakland County Lt Tim Willis said in a press conference on Friday that Ethan and his dad purchased the 9 mm Sig Sauer handgun from a shop four days before the shooting.
According to prosecutors, the gun was stored in an unlocked safe inside Jennifer and James' bedroom.
Ethan reportedly got the weapon as an early Christmas present on the day after Thanksgiving.
DAD CALLED COPS TO SAY IT COULD BE HIS SON
Fifteen minutes after Jennifer’s text, James made a 911 call – roughly 40 minutes after Ethan allegedly killed four people.
James allegedly told cops that his son may have been the shooter and reported that his gun was missing.
Ethan had boasted about the weapon on social media, uploading a photo of it to Instagram and calling it his "new beauty."
It’s likely that the teen had the gun in his backpack during the meeting at school with his parents.
PARENTS WERE CHARGED
Oakland County prosecutor, Karen McDonald, charged the Crumbleys with involuntary manslaughter on Friday, December 3.
It's rare for parents to be charged in relation to school shootings carried out by their children, even as most minors get guns from a parent or relative's house
There's no Michigan law that requires gun owners to keep weapons locked away from children. McDonald, however, suggested there's more to build a case on.
"All I can say at this point is those actions on mom and dad's behalf go far beyond negligence," she told WJR-AM.
"We obviously are prosecuting the shooter to the fullest extent. There are other individuals who should be held accountable."
ON THE RUN
After the news of their charges, the Crumbleys allegedly withdrew $4,000 from an ATM and failed to meet a deadline to surrender themselves.
The couple was tracked down by a fugitive team before being found 11 hours later in a basement.
Police located them after their car was reportedly found abandoned in Detroit.
The Crumbley's lawyer told The Daily Beast in a statement: "The Crumbleys left town on the night of the tragic shooting for their own safety.
"They are returning to the area to be arraigned. They are not fleeing from law enforcement despite recent comments in media reports."
Detroit Police Chief James White said on Saturday a third person may have assisted the couple in getting into the building to hide is also being looked at by investigators.
The Crumbleys didn’t break into the building, they were let inside by that person, the chief told reporters.
PARENTS SURRENDERED
After being caught by police, James and Jennifer surrendered to authorities and were taken into custody.
The Michigan couple pleaded not guilty to all charges against them and claim that the gun used in the crime was "locked."
They are currently being held on $500,000 bond each after the judge cited concerns of them being a "flight risk," based on their recent actions.
Prior to turning themselves in, law enforcement was tracking the Crumbleys' whereabouts via cellphone towers, before their phones were turned off.
BOOKED AND MUGSHOTS TAKEN
The mugshots of the Crumbleys were released by cops shortly after their arrest.
They made their first court appearance in an Oakland County court on Saturday morning.
The Crumbleys attorneys issued a statement ahead of their arraignment.
Shannon Smith and Mariell Lehman said on Saturday morning: "We understand that our clients were apprehended last night although we fully intended to turn them in first thing this morning for arraignment, contrary to the misinformation that has been rampant in the media.
"Unfortunately, this case presents the most unimaginable tragedy for every single person involved, including every member of the community.
"While it’s human nature to want to find someone to blame or something to point to or something that gives us answers, the charges, in this case, are intended to make an example and send a message.
"The prosecution has very much cherry-picked and slanted specific facts to further their narrative to do that.
"We intend to fight this case in the courtroom and not in the court of public opinion. We know that in the end the entire story and truth will prevail."
MOM BROKE DOWN IN COURT
As the judge read out the couple’s charges, Jennifer could be seen crying.
After the couple’s not guilty plea, they were placed on suicide watch at the Oakland County Jail.
The parents, along with Ethan, are being checked on "multiple times an hour," according to Sheriff Bouchard.
Bouchard added that records do not indicate that any of the three face mental health issues.
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