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‘Don't do it’: Ethan Crumbley's mom told him via text NOT to go on a shooting spree

Jennifer Crumbley reportedly texted son Ethan Crumbley, 'Don't do it,' after the 15-year-old accused came out of the bathroom and started firing

OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN: Prosecutors on Friday, December 3, revealed that Ethan Crumbley’s mother asked him not to go on a shooting spree on November 3 at his school that killed four and wounded several others, including a teacher. Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said Jennifer Crumbley texted his teenage son and told him, “Don't do it,” as the tragedy unfolded.

The revelation was made as prosecutors charged James and Jennifer Crumbley with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting. If convicted, the pair could face up to 15 years behind bars. McDonald also shared the reasons to charge the parents during the Friday media conference on December 3.

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She noted that soon after the 15-year-old accused came out of the bathroom and started firing inside the school’s premises, he received a message from his mother that read, “Ethan Don't do it.” McDonald mentioned it while citing testimony from Oakland County Lt. Tim Willis during a court hearing.

The prosecutor also revealed that a few days prior to the tragedy, which killed 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin, 16-year-old Tate Myre, 14-year-old Hana St. Julian, and 17-year-old Justin Shilling, a teacher claimed that Ethan was searching for ammunition on his phone. This was why school authorities contacted Jennifer. But instead of scolding his son, she sent a message to him just a day before the attack, saying: “LOL, I’m not gonna get mad at you, you have to learn to not get caught.”

According to reports, the gun used by Ethan was purchased by his father on Black Friday. The teenager apparently had shown it off on his now-deleted Instagram page before the school shooting. He shared the picture of the firearm on the social media platform and wrote: “Just got my new beauty today. SIG SAUER 9mm. Ask any questions I will answer.” Jennifer also reportedly shared on social media: “mom and son day testing out his new Christmas present.”

Meanwhile, after being on the run for some time, James and Jennifer have been caught by the cops. The couple was expected to surrender themselves at four in the evening of Friday, December 3, after charges were announced against them. But they reportedly vanished after withdrawing $4,000 from an ATM. Eventually, they were found and taken into custody by the Detroit police in the early hours of Saturday, December 4, from an industrial building. The duo was reportedly hiding in the basement of a building on the 1100 block of Bellevue Street in Detroit, less than half a mile from the Canadian border.

Police have yet to release a statement after their arrest, but people on online forums and social media platforms seemed quite happy with the development and blamed them for the attack. “Jennifer & James Crumbley should be charged with first degree murder and terrorism. They handed and instructed their little psychopath Ethan how to use the weapon. Jennifer and her low-life husband are directly responsible for the school shooting,” a Twitter user wrote. Another one commented, “Reunited:  The arrested parents of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley are now being held in the same jail as their murdering son. They get to enjoy some quiet time to reflect on the wonderful parenting choices they made.” 

“Possibly the worst parents ever. Give their kid a semi automatic weapon when he needs mental health support, then abandon him and try to run away when the law wants to hold them accountable. #WorstParentsEver #EthanCrumbley #crumbleyparents,” a third user added.