Oxford School Shooter Allegedly Tortured Animals & Kept Decapitated Birds Heads In Jar
15-year-old Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley reportedly had a sadistic past and many warning signs for his parents before he went on a rampage at his school killing and injuring multiple students.
His parents are accused of ignorings “troubling” texts and major red flags, per a court filing released on Thursday, adding that they were too busy paying attention to their own lives than being concerned about their son.
“The defendants had information long before Nov. 30 (six months prior to the shooting) that their son’s only friend moved at the end of October, that the family dog died, that their son was sadder than usual, and that he was sending his mother disturbing texts about his state of mind,” the prosecution wrote. “Instead of paying attention to their son and getting him help, they bought him a gun.”
Prosecutors note that Jennifer and James Crumbley kept the gun in an unlocked cupboard, giving easy access to their son and that they were very aware of his depression, but chose to take no action.
” … they knew that their son was depressed, that he was fascinated with guns … that he had been researching ammunition while at a school and that he was seen watching violent videos of shootings that morning,” the prosecutor added. “Before they left school that day, they had also seen the disturbing drawings.”
RELATED: Ethan Crumbley’s Parents Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter
Per the Detroit Free Press, there were many signs that Ethan was troubled, including the torture of animals.
“Their son was torturing animals, even kept a baby bird’s head in a jar on his bedroom floor, which he later took and placed in a school bathroom,” the prosecutor’s filing added. “Meanwhile, the parents were focusing on their own issues, things like extramarital affairs, financial issues and substance abuse.”
As well as the charge against Ethan Crumbley and his parents, there is also a civil lawsuit seeking $100 million against the school district.
Hana St. Juliana, 14; Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17 lost their lives in the shooting.