Another young, white teen is involved in a mass murder. Ethan Crumbley, 15, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of terrorism causing death, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Activists are already talking about gun control and violence due to the ease of obtaining an assault weapon.
Crumbley was charged as an adult and arraigned on Wednesday, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said at a news conference. The charges came shortly after authorities announced that the fourth victim, 17-year-old student Justin Shilling, had died. Authorities also identified the three other students who were killed as Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and Tate Myre who was 16 years old.
Investigators say Crumbley began shooting after exiting a bathroom and remained in the school’s hallway until he was detained. A total of 18 live, unfired rounds were found following Crumbley’s detainment. Police found seven bullets in his pocket and an additional 11 were later discovered in a magazine, according to Bouchard.
The teen allegedly posted a chilling countdown on Instagram hours before the shooting, posting: “Now I become death, destroyer of worlds, see you tomorrow Oxford.”
The 15-year-old told Judge Nancy Carniak that he understood the 24 charges against him, and Judge Carniak entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Whites are treated differently in the criminal justice system no matter how gruesome their crime.
