Families of 2 Oxford High School shooting victims accept $500,000 settlement

Family members of the slain Oxford High School students place flowers at a sign at the entrance to the school after a moment of silence
Family members of the slain Oxford High School students place flowers at a sign at the entrance to the school after a moment of silence as they arrive at Oxford High School during the March For Our Lives Oxford event on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Photo credit © Kelly Jordan / USA TODAY NETWOR

OXFORD TWP. (WWJ) -- A settlement has been reached between Oxford school officials and the families of two of the four students who were murdered there in 2021.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton reported Thursday that the families of Madisyn Baldwin and Justin Shilling are settling with the school district, a former counselor, and former dean of students for $500,000.

Langton explained this settlement comes despite an appeals court ruling that the district was protected by qualified immunity.

"Judge at all levels in the court system have dismissed these civil case, because they ruled that governmental immunity effectively prevents the suing of Oxford High School," Langton said. "So, for these two families to settle, that'll be the end of the line for them. We'll see if the other two families get into this settlement."

Back in June, Steve St. Juliana, the father of victim Hana St. Juliana, scoffed at the $500,000 offered by the Oxford Board of Education during a board meeting. He said he wasn't even given 20 hours to consider the offer.

Former Oxford High School student Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty in 2023 to first degree murder, terrorism and other charges for the mass shooting that left four students dead and six more students and a teacher wounded.

Crumbley was sentenced to life in prison, without a chance for parole.

Separately, Crumbley's parents were both convicted of involuntary manslaughter, after prosecutors argued they ignored their son's mental health struggles, and instead bought him the 9mm handgun he used in the mass shooting.

Featured Image Photo Credit: © Kelly Jordan / USA TODAY NETWOR