VP Candidates Asked About Crumbley Parents' Convictions During Debate

MICHIGAN — Vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz faced a question relating to a Michigan school shooting that left four students dead during Tuesday night's debate.

Earlier this year, separate juries found both Jennifer and James Crumbley guilty of involuntary manslaughter after their son fatally shot four students at Oxford High School in 2021. They were each sentenced to 10-15 years in prison.

Debate moderator and CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell noted it was the first time parents had been charged in connection with a school shooting.

O'Donnell followed by asking Vance, "Do you think holding parents responsible could curb mass shootings?"

Vance responded by saying that he didn't know the full details of the case, but that he trusts local law enforcement and local authorities to make those decisions.

"I think in some cases, the answer is going to be yes, and in some cases, the answer is going to be no. And details really matter here, of course," Vance said. "For example if a kid steals a gun, that's going to be different than if a parent hands over a gun knowing that their kid is potentially dangerous."

Waltz said there needs to be more discussions about reducing the number of dangerous weapons available, while noting that he is a hunter, and that he and Vice President Kamala Harris both own firearms.

"We understand the Second Amendment is there, but our first responsibility is to our kids, to figure this out," Walz said.

Walz then added that he signed legislation in Minnesota to strengthen red flag laws and background checks.

Prosecutors said Jennifer and James Crumbley ignored disturbing warning signs from their son leading up to the deadly shooting. Rather than get him help for his deteriorating mental health, the couple bought him a gun that he ultimately used in the shooting.

Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to the shooting and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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.