'Your Kid Is Just A Gun Statistic': Oxford Families Lose Court Battle Against School Staff

OXFORD, MI — The families of the Oxford school shooting looking to hold school officials responsible suffered a major setback Wednesday.

The Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear their arguments, essentially ending their legal battle against the school district. The families were seeking to change government immunity, which protects government officials from lawsuits.

Detroit attorney Ven Johnson, who is representing the families, said at a virtual news conference Wednesday that it is "sad day in Michigan."

"It's shameful this tragedy can happen and there be no civil recourse whatsoever because the folks who neglected their duties under the law work for the government," Johnson said.

Johnson also said the court's decision is a severe blow to the case and will be difficult to overcome.

Buck Myre, the father of 16-year-old shooting victim Tate Myre, said at the news conference it's "horrible."

"I’m shocked. I just, I can't believe that with a tragedy of this nature, our government can just sweep it under the rug and say 'sorry for your luck' when it was preventable," Myre said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "The decision today said 'your kid is just a gun statistic, we don’t need to change a damn thing.'"

In their civil cases, lawyers and Oxford families pointed to a 600-page independent report that found multiple systematic failures leading up to the attack that left four students dead in November 2021.

Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder and terrorism in the attack. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He recently asked for a new trial, but an Oakland County judge rejected that request, stating his "plea was knowingly, voluntarily, and accurately given."

His parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley were each found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting. They were each sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison. They have appealed their sentences and are seeking a new trial.

The four students killed in the shooting were 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 16-year-old Tate Myre, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin and 17-year-old Justin Shilling. Seven others were wounded in the shooting.

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