Oxford High School shooting timeline: What happened before, inside school and afterward

Ethan Crumbley facing charges in shooting that killed 4 students, injured 7 others

Derick Hutchinson, Digital Executive Producer

Published: December 2, 2021 at 9:05 AMUpdated: January 3, 2023 at 4:35 PM

OXFORD, Mich. – Here is a timeline of what happened before, during and after a shooting inside Oxford High School.

Jennifer Crumbley, posted on social media, “Mom and son day, testing out his new X-mas present,” according to authorities.

A teacher at Oxford High School observed Ethan Crumbley searching ammunition on his cellphone during class and reported seeing it to school officials, police said.
School officials contacted Jennifer Crumbley via voicemail about the concerning behavior, and followed up with an email, according to authorities.
“ Jennifer Crumbley exchanged text messages about the incident with her son, where she stated, “LOL I’m not mad. You have to learn not to get caught,” officials said.

Ethan Robert Crumbley (WDIV)

Before shooting:

A teacher found a disturbing note and drawing on Ethan Crumbley’s desk, took a picture of it and passed along that information to school officials.
10 a.m.: Bouchard said Ethan Crumbley’s parents met with Oxford High School officials to discuss “concerning” behavior by the 15-year-old on both Monday and Tuesday mornings.
12:50 p.m.: Just before 12:51 p.m., Ethan Crumbley went into a bathroom with a backpack, according to Oakland County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Marc Keast.

Shooting, arrest:

12:51 p.m.: Ethan Crumbley is accused of walking out of the bathroom with a 9 mm Sig Sauer SP2022 pistol, firing shots at classmates, police said.
12:52 p.m.: The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office received hundreds of phone calls about gunshots at the high school.
12:57 p.m.: This is approximately around the time Oakland County deputies took Ethan Crumbley into custody, according to Undersheriff Mike McCabe. He said the shooting suspect was arrested within five minutes of the first 9-1-1 call.
1:22 p.m.: When news of the active shooter at Oxford High School became public, Jennifer Crumbley texted her son, “Ethan, don’t do it,” according to authorities.
1:37 p.m.: James Crumbley called 9-1-1 to report that a gun was missing from his house and he believed his son might be the shooter, police said.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: During the time between when police made an arrest and the first briefing, Ethan Crumbley invoked his right to remain silent and asked for an attorney, McCabe said.

Aftermath:

3 p.m.: McCabe revealed that three students had been killed in the shooting.
- Hana St. Juliana, 14.
- Tate Myre, 16.
- Madisyn Baldwin, 17.
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: During this time period, deputies began serving a search warrant at Ethan Crumbley’s house, McCabe said. Deputies seized the teenager’s cellphone as evidence, he said.
5 p.m.: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined McCabe for a second briefing, thanked first responders for their work and offered thoughts and prayers for everyone involved.
5 p.m.: McCabe revealed Ethan Crumbley’s parents had told their son not to talk to police and expressed that they would be hiring an attorney.
7 p.m.: A prayer vigil was held at Lakepoint Community Church in Oxford.
10 p.m.: Bouchard held his first briefing, revealing several new details about the shooting and updating the conditions of eight people who were injured -- seven students and one teacher.

From left to right: Hana St. Juliana, Tate Myre, Madisyn Baldwin and Justin Shilling. (WDIV)

11:15 a.m.: Bouchard provides another update, including details from surveillance video inside the school and the conditions of the injured victims.
12:30 p.m.: Officials announce a fourth student, Justin Shilling, 17, had died from injuries suffered during the shooting.
2 p.m.: Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announces Ethan Crumbley is facing 24 charges, and will be charged as an adult.
- One count of terrorism causing death
- Four counts of first-degree murder
- Seven counts of assault with intent to murder
- 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony
3 p.m.: Bouchard held a briefing, expressing support for the decision to charge Ethan Crumbley as an adult. He also said more than 30 shots had been fired during the shooting, three 15-round magazines had been found and no evidence of previous bullying had been discovered.
4 p.m.: Ethan Crumbley appears on video for his arraignment. His parents also appeared on video during the proceedings.
4:30 p.m.: Judge Nancy T. Carniak denies bond in the case and agrees to have Ethan Crumbley transferred from the Oakland County Children’s Village to the Oakland County Jail.
6 p.m.: Deputies released an update on the conditions of the injured victims. Four had been discharged from the hospital, two were listed as stable and one remained in critical condition.

Overnight, into Thursday morning: In the wake of the Oxford High School shooting, dozens of other schools around Southeast Michigan have temporarily closed their doors due to threats.
4 p.m.: Bouchard reveals authorities are investigating dozens of school threats in the area, and issues a stern warning to anyone making those threats.
4:15 p.m.: During the briefing about school threats, McDonald reveals she expects to make a decision within 24 hours on whether or not Ethan Crumbley’s parents will face charges.

12 p.m.: A prosecutor issues involuntary manslaughter charges against James and Jennifer Crumbley.
12:15 p.m.: Judge Julie Nicholson approves a warrant to take James and Jennifer Crumbley into custody.

A probable cause conference for Ethan Crumbley is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Dec. 13.
A preliminary examination for Ethan Crumbley is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Dec. 20.