Michigan school shooting: what happened at Oxford High School as 4 students killed - and who is suspect?

A 15-year-old boy is facing terrorism and murder charges after the shooting in Oxford High School, Michigan, in which four teens died and seven people were injured
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A 15-year-old boy has been charged with terrorism and murder after four teens were killed and seven people injured at a school shooting in Michigan.

The boy, who has been charged as an adult, has been named as Ethan Crumbley by the authorities.

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Six teenagers and one teacher were injured in the shooting at Oxford High School, Oxford in Oakland County, on Tuesday (30 November).

Crumbley is facing a charge of terrorism causing death, four counts of first degree murder, seven assaults with intent to murder as well as firearm charges.

He had a virtual hearing before a judge on Wednesday shortly after the charges were announced and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

What happened at Oxford High School?

Students and teachers hid in classrooms as the incident unfolded. Law enforcement arrived at the school within minutes of receiving “in excess of 100” emergency calls.

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Tate Myre, 16, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Hana St Juliana, 14, died on Tuesday, while fourth victim Justin Shilling,17, died from his injuries on Wednesday

Officers were dispatched to the school just before 1pm, shortly after 100 other deputies from the sheriff’s office arrived. They were later joined by 200 others from agencies including the fire department.

Oakland Police Captain Christopher Wundrach said officers had removed from the suspect a 9mm pistol which was loaded and still contained seven rounds of ammunition.

Police cars restrict access to Oxford High School following a shooting Police cars restrict access to Oxford High School following a shooting
Police cars restrict access to Oxford High School following a shooting

What has the prosecutor’s office said?

Crumbley is being charged as an adult, which Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said it was “necessary” due to the seriousness of the crime and to protect the public.

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Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D, McDonald said: “We have watched school shootings unfold across the country for too long. Sadly the national spotlight is shining today on Oakland County as we face this tragedy together.

“The victims and their families and the entire community need and deserve answers”

“Kids deserve better, parents deserve better - we have to do better. I’m committed to seeking justice for the victims of the Oxford HIgh School shooting and all Oakland county kids who face violence.”

“It’s my fervent hope this will be the last time we experience an incident like this in Oakland county - or anywhere. I’m committed to doing my part to ensure we honour the lives of those lost - those taken by pursuing this case with the full weight of this office.”

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Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said in a statement after the charges were announced: “I fully support the charges brought today by Prosecutor Karen McDonald. The safety of our county requires the most serious response and I hope the beginning of this legal process offers the families of the victims and the school community some small measure of comfort.”

What else has been said?

Oakland Police Captain Christopher Wundrach previously said the department’s active shooter training played a part in avoiding further loss of life.

He said: “With other school shootings across the country we saw in some scenarios the officers or deputies did not go in they staged or waited outside. After some of these scenarios I made it very clear to our staff, if they get there first their job is to go in and neutralise the threat.

“If I get there first I’m going in, if we both get there together we are both going in - there will be no staging or waiting. I’m proud to say that’s exactly what happened.

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“They went in and searched out the threat they went to the gunshots.”

Speaking of the impact such incident have he said: “Sadly it happened even in a sweet quiet community like Oxford, it can visit itself anywhere - no one is immune.”

Captain Wundrach said one of the teens died in a police car after an officer put him in there due to the severity of his wounds, and that one of the emergency call handlers had a relative who had died in the shooting, he said: “This wound will never go away.”

“We will leave no stone unturned in determining the things that led up to this.”

A message from the editor:

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