Featured Image Credit: YouTube/ ABC News
Topics: US News, Crime, True crime
Poppy Bilderbeck
**Warning: Contains discussion of school shooting.**
Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley has reflected on his crimes in court during his sentencing.
On the morning of 30 November 2021, four students were killed and seven others injured in a school shooting at Oxford High School, Michigan.
Yesterday (8 December), Crumbley was sentenced to life in prison without parole for their deaths.
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After the court heard from dozens of witnesses and victims, the 17-year-old gave a statement, reflecting on his crimes.
The lives of 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 16-year-old Tate Myre, 16-year-old Justin Shilling and 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin were taken the day Crumbley walked into Oxford High School with a semi-automatic handgun in his backpack.
Crumbley - aged 15 at the time - had already been at the school that same morning in a meeting with staff and his parents.
On October 2022, Crumbley pleaded guilty to four counts of first degree murder, as well as one count of terrorism and 19 other charges, CNN reports.
Addressing the courtroom yesterday, Crumbley reflected on himself as being 'a really bad person'.
"I have done some terrible things. I have lied and I’m not trustworthy. I hurt many people," he said. "We are all here because of me today, of what I did. I do plan to be better."
The teenager continued: "I really am sorry, for what I've done, for what I've taken from them. I cannot give it back but I can try my best in the future to help other people and that is what I'll do."
Crumbley was later sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Reflecting on the sentencing, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwamé Rowe said, according to CNN: "I know that whatever sentence the court imposes will not bring your loved ones back or cure the mental anguish or the lifelong physical scars that some of you have, but I hope the sentence does allow you to close one chapter in your life."
Attorney Ven Johnson of Ven Johnson Law - who is representing the four families - said: "Today signifies a pivotal step towards justice for our clients and all survivors, forever changed by the abhorrent actions of the shooter during the Oxford High School shooting
"[...] Despite the two-year delay, the gravity of the situation endures, and this sentencing is a crucial stride towards accountability.
"We wholeheartedly support Judge Kwame Rowe's decision to condemn him to life in prison without parole."
Despite Crumbley saying school staff and his parents 'did not know' of his planned attack and so 'are not at fault' for what he did, his parents were also charged with four counts of manslaughter - prosecutors arguing that they ignored the teenager's obsession with guns.
The parents will face their own trials next year.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.