Ethan Crumbley sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing 4 students in Michigan school shooting
CNNCNN — Teenager Ethan Crumbley was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday for gunning down four classmates and wounding six others and a teacher at Michigan’s Oxford High School in 2021. Dismissing last-minute defense pleas that Crumbley’s life is salvageable, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwamé Rowe noted that the “defendant in his own words” told the court “this is nobody’s fault but his own.” Rowe said victim Justin Shilling, 17, was shot at point-blank range after being told by the defendant to get on his knees. Hana’s father, Steve St. Juliana, said Crumbley could do “absolutely nothing” to earn his forgiveness for taking away a “beautiful, caring soul” with unlimited potential. Every day, every moment, every experience, I think of Hana and I’m sad.” Their family is “surviving,” the statement said, but “not living.” Crumbley is the first minor to receive an original sentence of life without parole since a 2012 Supreme Court ruling. Prosecutors played audio messages in court in which the teen said, “I am going to be the next school shooter,” and that he would “have so much fun.” The defense asked the court to consider mitigating factors like Crumbley’s difficult home life and his ignored pleas for mental health treatment.