(WWJ) A 15-year-old boy has been charged as an adult in a deadly mass school shooting that has stunned and aggrieved a quaint and quiet Michigan community.
The Oakland County Prosecutor on Wednesday released the name of the alleged shooter: Ethan Crumbley.
He is a sophomore at the high school, where authorities say he shot 11 people on Tuesday, including four students who died. Among the other victims is a 14-year-old girl on a ventilator, clinging to life.
"I'm only going to say his name once," said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, announcing that Crumbley is charged with the following:
• One count of terrorism causing death
• Four counts of first degree murder
• Seven counts of assault with intent to murder
• Twelve counts of using a firearm in commission of a felony
At the arraignment, Oakland County Sheriff's Lt. Tim Willis revealed that Crumbley recorded video the night before the shooting in which he discussed killing students.
McDonald said prosecutors believe this was clearly a case of premeditation, and that the shooting "was not an impulsive act." She said that charging Crumbley as an adult is the best way to keep the public safe.
Crumbley stood mute to the charges, and a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.
Here's what is known thus far about the teen:
According to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Burchard, the 9mm semiautomatic pistol used in the shooting was purchased by Crumbley's father, just days ago on Nov. 24.
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, before the shooting, Bouchard said Crumbley and his parents had a face-to-face meeting with school administrators at the school. Bouchard said law enforcement did not learn about that meeting until after the shooting.
Bouchard said he cannot discuss what was discussed at the meeting at this time, other than "behavior in the classroom that they felt was concerning."
Crumbley brought the gun to school in a backpack, according to the sheriff. Early in the afternoon, he emerged from a bathroom and began shooting.
Crumbley was active on social media, and just days ago shared a photo of the handgun, according to Bouchard. The photo has since been deleted, but there are screenshots.
Another screenshot of what is reported to be the suspect's Instagram account displays the a dark and ominous message: "Now I am become Death. The destroyer of worlds. See you tomorrow, Oxford."
There are also unconfirmed reports that the shooter uploaded a video of himself throwing a Molotov cocktail in his backyard, and posted a countdown to the killing, also since removed from social media.
Bouchard did not confirm that there was any countdown, and did not mention the videos referenced just a short time later by Lt. Willis.
Nearly as startling as his recent social media activity may be Crumbley's YouTube videos. Uploaded five years ago they show a cute, bespectacled boy. The child, apparently 9 or 10 years old, sitting on his bed in a little red hoodie, says maybe he'll post a video of his homemade scarecrow costume for Halloween... but he hasn't decided yet. In the meantime, he promotes an upcoming "Santa Finder Vlog," and asks viewers for "likes."
"I've got school tomorrow and all that whatever," he adds, hopeful he'll have time to post more videos when summer comes again.
As for what would lead a child to go on a shooting rampage remains unknown at this time.
Bouchard said all of that remains under investigation, along with whether there was prior warning that Crumbley may turn violent.
While there have been many reports that students shared concerns about Crumbley and his social media to school officials, Bouchard said his department was not informed of any threats, and Crumbly was unknown to law enforcement before Tuesday's tragic events.
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Bouchard said Crumbley emerged from a bathroom, armed, and began firing in the hallway. He said investigators to not believe that the victims were "specifically targeted," and the sheriff does not think that's the case.
As for a motive, there's been a lot of talk about bullying, the sheriff said. But he said, at this point, there is no indication that Crumbley was ever bullied.
He said detectives are going through phones and other evidence, working to determine what may have motivated the shooter. "But I will say again: There is nothing that he could have faced that would warrant senseless, absolutely brutal violence on other kids."
"And I have also asked the school of they had any records of him being bullied, and the coordinator of anti-bullying programs has no information that he had been bulled by anyone."
McDonald said there could be further charges in the case, potentially against Crumbley's father in relation to "responsible gun ownership."
Stay with WWJ for the latest information on this developing story.
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