Oxford, Michigan – Nearly three years after a tragic school shooting claimed the lives of four students and injured seven others at Oxford High School, demands for a comprehensive state-led investigation continue to mount. Families of the victims and community members are calling for more thorough scrutiny into the events leading up to the day that ended in heartbreak.
On a cold November day in 2021, the community of Oxford was shaken to its core when 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley opened fire at his high school. Among the chaos, four young lives were cut short: 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, and 17-year-olds Madisyn Baldwin, Justin Shilling, and Tate Myre, whose father has become a vocal advocate for an investigation that goes beyond the criminal charges.
Steve St. Juliana, bereaved father of Hana, recently expressed frustration over the lack of progress. “We don’t care. Get the job done,” he urged, emphasizing the fear that such an incident could recur. “It’s not a matter of if the school shooting happens again, but when,” he added, signaling a profound concern over unlearned lessons from the devastating event.
Despite the urgency voiced by families, the bureaucratic process appears hindered. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has faced significant challenges in initiating a more profound investigation. The obstacles ranged from obtaining cooperation from the Oxford school board and local law enforcement to navigating legal barriers such as waivers for attorney-client privilege and comprehensive access to evidence and testimonies.
Reflecting on the challenges, Nessel noted that her efforts have consistently met resistance from key local entities, including the school board and the Oakland County sheriff’s office, despite having the preliminary green light from Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, who indicated Nessel didn’t need a direct invitation to proceed.
Complicating matters, the school district did hire Guidepost Solutions to conduct an independent investigation. However, this probe fell short of expectations as it lacked participation from critical figures, including those within the sheriff’s department and school administrators who were directly involved on the day of the shooting.
On the fateful morning of the shooting, red flags were evident. Crumbley had been found with disturbing imagery and notes on a math worksheet, a clear cry for help that depicted a gun, a bloody figure, and desperate words. Despite being summoned for a meeting with school officials and his parents just hours before the tragedy, he was allowed to return to class with his backpack, where he had concealed the firearm.
The press conference held earlier this week saw McDonald and Sheriff Mike Bouchard standing in solidarity with the victims’ parents, a clear public relations move that underscored the deep emotional and communal impact of the events. This setting prompted pointed questions from Nessel towards Bouchard regarding the initial resistance to broader investigative participation.
As families continue to grieve and seek closure, the community and its leaders remain ensnared in logistical and legal complexities. The call for action is clear, driven by a desperate need to prevent future tragedies through a deeper understanding of all systemic failures that led to that catastrophic day. The pursuit of truth, however obstructed, remains an essential path toward securing a safer environment for all students.