Crime: Oxford Shooting Suspect's Father Bought Gun 4 Days Before, Police Say

The 15-year-old suspect in the Oxford High School shooting used a 9mm Sig Sauer bought by his father four days earlier, Michigan police have said.

© Matthew Hatcher / Stringer/Getty Three students were shot dead at the Michigan high school. In this photo, a police road block restricts access to Oxford High School following a shooting on November 30, 2021 in Oxford, Michigan.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said late on Tuesday night that investigators had determined the gun used was purchased by the teenager's father, according to a Facebook post from the sheriff's office.

The Associated Press reported that Sheriff Bouchard also said the suspect had practiced shooting the gun and had "posted pictures of the target and the weapon."

Ethan Crumbley's Parents 'Resisted the Idea' of Pulling Him From School Before Shooting

The Oakland County Prosecutor said drawings found on Crumbley's desk contained a semi-automatic handgun pointing at the words "the thoughts won't stop help me."During a press conference on Friday, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald explained that on the morning of the shooting, which occurred on Tuesday, the alleged shooter, Ethan Crumbley, and his parents were summoned to a meeting with a school counselor. The meeting was prompted by a teacher who discovered several drawings on Crumbley's desk that alarmed her "to the point that she took a picture of it on her cell phone.

The 15-year-old, a sophomore at the school in Oxford Township, north of Detroit, was taken into custody by officers who arrived within two minutes of the first 911 call at about 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

Sheriff Bouchard said deputies arrested the suspect after he walked out of a school bathroom with the gun, which still had seven rounds of ammunition inside.

Police said in a Facebook post the suspect offered "no resistance during the arrest" and was taken to Oakland County Children's Village because he is a juvenile.

AP reported that Sheriff Bouchard added: "I believe they [police] literally saved lives having taken down the suspect with a loaded firearm while still in the building."

According to police, there was no indication the suspect had any disciplinary history at the school and he had not been involved in any incident that was flagged to law enforcement.

Ohio Student Arrested 3 Days After Mich. Shooting, 'Kill List' of Other Students Reported

"We want to praise the students who spoke up and let school administration know about the situation," a junior high school principal said.In a letter to families of students, the principal of Ohio's Milford Junior High School wrote that a student "was reported to have compiled a list of names of some fellow students and that this list was referred to as a 'kill list.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office later identified the victims as Tate Myre, 16, Hanna St. Julian, 14, and Madisyn Baldwin, 17.

Sheriff Bouchard said Myre died in a patrol car as a deputy raced to get him to hospital, according to AP.

Police added that another six people, including a teacher, were injured in the shooting.

Officers are continuing their investigation at the high school and a search of the suspect's house has also been carried out.

President Joe Biden issued a statement on the shooting on Twitter on Tuesday.

My heart goes out to the families of all those in Oxford, Michigan experiencing the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one. I’m remaining in close touch with my team as new information about this tragic school shooting surfaces.

— President Biden (@POTUS) November 30, 2021

He said: "My heart goes out to the families of all those in Oxford, Michigan experiencing the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one.

EXPLAINER: How unusual to charge parents in school shooting?

Guns used in U.S. school shootings have often come from the homes of young perpetrators, but parents are rarely charged for the violence that occurs, experts say. That's what makes the case against Ethan Crumbley's parents uncommon, following the fatal shooting of four students at Oxford High School in southeastern Michigan. Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said Jennifer and James Crumbley ignored opportunities to intervene, just a few hours before the bloodshed.They're charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, while Ethan, 15, is charged as an adult with murder, terrorism and other crimes.

"I'm remaining in close touch with my team as new information about this tragic school shooting surfaces."

We have a responsibility to do all we can to protect each other, and we have the tools to reduce gun violence. No one should be afraid to go to school, work, a house of worship, or even their own home. This is a time for us to come together and help children feel safe at school.

— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) November 30, 2021

Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan posted a series of tweets calling for an end to gun violence. She wrote: "I'm devastated for the students, teachers, staff, and families of Oxford High School.

"The death of multiple students and shooting of others, including a teacher, is horrific. My heart is with the parents who had their children taken from them and with the entire Oxford community.

"We have a responsibility to do all we can to protect each other, and we have the tools to reduce gun violence.

"No one should be afraid to go to school, work, a house of worship, or even their own home. This is a time for us to come together and help children feel safe at school."

Newsweek has contacted the Oakland County Sheriff's Office for further comment.

Related Articles

• 3 Students Dead, Teacher and Others Injured in Michigan School Shooting; Suspect Arrested
• Oxford Shooter Allegedly Knocked on Doors Acting as Sheriff in Attempt to Lure Students
• Oxford Live Updates: What We Know About the Shooting

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