Karen McDonald, the attorney who prosecuted Ethan Crumbley and his parents for the mass shooting at Michigan’s Oxford High School in 2021, expressed her sorrow over the recent school shooting in Georgia, emphasizing the emotional impact on those affected by past tragedies.
McDonald highlighted the unique case of Crumbley's parents, who were the first in US history to be criminally held accountable for their child's involvement in a mass shooting, ultimately convicted of manslaughter. Ethan Crumbley, separately tried, received a life sentence.
Regarding the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, McDonald stressed the urgency of investigating how the suspect, Colt Gray, obtained the AR-platform rifle allegedly used in the attack. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation director confirmed the weapon type, previously described as an AR-15-style rifle by a law enforcement official.
McDonald underscored the gravity of the situation, noting the lethal nature of such firearms in the hands of a 14-year-old. She raised concerns about the details emerging and the need to determine the source of the gun.
While Gray had been questioned by law enforcement last year in connection to school shooting threats, the FBI stated there was insufficient cause for arrest or further action at that time.
McDonald emphasized the importance of parental responsibility in preventing such tragedies, urging parents to take proactive measures to secure firearms from children. She highlighted the simplicity of using cable locks, which can be installed in seconds and serve as a crucial preventive measure.
