The 15-year-old suspect in the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan has reportedly been identified as Ethan Crumbley and will be charged as an adult with murder and terrorism, among other counts.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced charges against Crumbley at 2pm on Wednesday.
Crumbley is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of terrorism causing death and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to ClickOnDetroit.
‘Charging this person as an adult is necessary to achieve justice and protect the public,’ McDonald said. ‘Any other option would put all of us at risk of this person because they could be released and still a threat.’
Three students died on Tuesday after a shooter opened fire for about five minutes in the halls of the school about 40 miles north of Detroit. They have been identified as Tate Myre, 16; Hana St Juliana, 14; and Madisyn Baldwin, 17. A fourth victim, 17-year-old Justin Shilling, died on Wednesday morning, bringing the death toll to four.
McDonald said there is evidence showing that the massacre was ‘not just an impulsive act’.
‘I am absolutely sure, after reviewing the evidence, that it isn’t even a close call – it was absolutely premeditated,’ McDonald said.
‘There is a mountain of digital evidence: video tape, social media – all digital evidence possible, and we have reviewed it. Absolutely, we are confident that we can show it was premeditation.’
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