A Michigan judge sentenced school shooter Ethan Crumbley to multiple life sentences without parole on Friday, after an emotional court hearing where surviving victims discussed their trauma.
Crumbley, 15 years old at the time, killed four people and injured seven more at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
During the hearing, he accepted responsibility and showed regret for his actions. In total, 29 people gave victim statements at the hearing, including parents of victims and students and staff at the school.
“Any sentence that they ask for, I ask that you impose it on me,” he said. “I want them to be happy, I want them to feel secure and safe. I don’t want them to worry another day.”
“Our family has been navigating our way through complete hell,” Buck Myre, whose son Tate was killed in the shooting, said. “We wear the pain like a heavy coat, constant reminders every day. Every hour is the darkest time of the day.”
“We are miserable. We miss Tate,” he continued. “Our family has a permanent hole in it that can never be fixed.” Each victim, when asked, requested he be given life without parole.
“This coward took these actions knowing the consequences and effects it would have on people and this community,” Tate Myre’s brother, Trent Myre, said at the hearing. “He took the selfish actions of taking four lives away.”
“He should never have the opportunity to see the light again,” he added. “He waived his right and opportunity when he took the lives away of those four beautiful souls.”
Survivors described themselves as racked with guilt over those who died, and constantly fighting the fear of future peril.
“My life has changed its path entirely,” survivor Kylie Ossege said. “However, your honor, I refuse to let the cowardly acts of a person impact the rest of my life. … No one will ever take my happiness away from me, because I am the strongest person I know.”
In his defense, Crumbley’s attorney and his guardian pleaded that he be given the opportunity for parole, arguing that he had changed since the 2021 shooting. Crumbley himself also made remarks.
“I am a really bad person. I have done terrible things that no one should ever do. I have lied, been not trustworthy, I’ve hurt many people,” Crumbley said. “I’m not denying it. That’s not who I plan on being. … I do plan to be better. I don’t know if you’ll believe that.”
Both of Crumbley’s parents were charged with involuntary manslaughter for the shooting, accused of irresponsible handling of firearms. They fled the state, but were later arrested.
The parents appealed their charges, but it was denied. They will face trial starting January 23.
