Viral video shows student survivor LAUGHING after Oxford High School shooting
A viral TikTok video that showed a survivor of the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan laughing on her way out of the building has reignited a conversation on the unexpected effects of trauma. Some mental health experts believe seemingly unusual reactions like laughting are expected and normal in such situations.
In the deadliest shooting of 2021, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley opened fire inside the school campus just before 1 pm on Tuesday, November 30, killing Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Julian, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Justin Shilling, also 17, and wounding seven others. Crumbley, a sophomore student at the school, was taken into custody shortly after, without incident. Authorities recovered a 9mm Sig Sauer SP2022 pistol and 18 rounds of unused ammunition from his person.
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The survivor, who goes by the handle @aydensanders_ on TikTok, filmed and posted video footage showing students being escorted out of the school with their hands raised. The first third of the video showed the videographer turning his camera phone to capture the reactions of a female student, who was also filming the scene, and appeared to chuckle.
While it might seem to be a strange reaction, considering the deadly events that transpired, mental health professionals reportedly recognized smiles and laughter as "normal" responses to trauma. According to the Daily Dot, it is a type of disassociation/defense mechanism used by people to separate themselves from the trauma’s scale and depth.
While there were some politicized and hateful comments on the post, the majority of reactions comprised of well wishes and commendation for the videographer. “For those in the back: LAUGHING IS A COMPLETELY NORMAL TRAUMA RESPONSE," one user wrote. “I’d be the one laughing because it’s either that, or a full-on panic attack," another offered. One of the commenters even defended the videographer thanking law enforcement, saying, “HIM SAYING THANK YOU IS NOT HIM BEING SARCASTIC. I’M SURE HE WAS TERRIFIED FOR HIS LIFE AND JUST WAS GRATEFUL TO BE OUT ALIVE."
MEAWW previously reported how 15-year-old Crumbley, who is being held without bond at the Oakland County Jail, had posted creepy pictures on his Instagram account, where he began an alleged countdown before carrying out the shooting, terming it 'Return of The Devil'. Shooting survivors claimed that the suspect had specific targets whom he attacked first, but it is unclear how the suspect and the victims were connected.
Reportedly, the suspect was previously blacklisted for other shocking offenses on school premises. He allegedly once threw the head of a dead deer into a locked courtyard while on the roof. He also painted threatening messages on the school walls. The principal, however, had reassured other students' parents that Crumbley was not a threat.
The Sheriff's Office announced on December 4 that Crumbley's parents, James and Jennifer, would be facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, they will face 15 years in prison. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald defended the charges saying "extreme negligence" led to the school tragedy and the pistol used by the teen fugitive was purchased by James at a Black Friday sale, in presence of his son. James is also accused of failing to keep the firearm away from his son.