Michigan School Shooter Showed Numerous Warning Signs – Opinion

There are new details emerging about the massacre at Oxford High School, which may prove to be disappointing for those opposed to guns. The incident was not prevented by the warning signs. It could have been easily avoided.

Fox News reported that the alleged shooter “convinced school officials ahead of the deadly rampage that violent drawings he made were for a ‘video game’” according to a letter released on Saturday by the school. Tim Thorne from Oxford Community Schools sent the following letter.

A teacher was observing drawings and written comments that had been included in media reports on the morning of November 30th. The teacher informed school counselors as well the Dean of Students. The student was immediately removed from the classroom and brought to the guidance counselor’s office where he claimed the drawing was part of a video game he was designing and informed counselors that he planned to pursue video game design as a career.

Only hours prior to the shooting that allegedly killed four students and injured seven more, the 15-year-old gunman met his parents and school officials.

“At no time did counselors believe the student might harm others based on his behavior, responses and demeanor, which appeared calm. In addition, despite media reports, whether or not the gun was in his backpack has not been confirmed by law enforcement to our knowledge nor by our investigation at this time,” the letter explained.

The letter also revealed that the shooter’s parents were asked to take their son home on the day of the shooting, but “they flatly refused and left without their son, apparently to return to work.”

School officials also informed the parents that they would be given 48 hours to find a therapist for their son or “the school would contact Child Protective Services.”

The letter stated that officials were not aware that the shooter’s parents had purchased a pistol for their son. Thorne wrote:

We understand that this decision caused some anger and confusion, and it prompted us to ask questions. However, counselors made their judgment based only on clinical training and experience. They didn’t have all of the facts. The counselors have been long-standing, committed school staff members that are dedicated to helping students with their mental health and behavior issues.

Fox News noted that a “third party” would be investigating how the alleged assailant “interacted with the school employees and peers” before the shooting.

A variety of charges are being brought against him, including 4 counts first-degree murder and 1 count of terrorist causing death. There are also 7 counts each of assault with intent murder. 12 counts total of possessing a firearm during the commission of another felony.

The suspect shooter has pleaded guilty.

Four charges against his parents for involuntary murder are also being brought against them. Authorities said that they were taken into custody on Saturday after the couple tried to flee. Fox News noted that “[e]ach count is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a $7,500 fine.”

They both pleaded guilty to the charges and were released on $500,000 bonds.

It appears the school attempted to address the issue when they saw the shooter’s drawings. But their efforts did not go far enough – removing him from the school would likely have averted this tragedy. His parents are to blame for not allowing their son home so that he could receive counseling. A counselor should be contacted if the child creates disturbing drawings.

This isn’t a gun issue. There are no gun laws that could be passed that would have prevented the shooter’s parents from purchasing the weapon for their child and allowing him access to it. This is not what most gun buyers are taught about guns when they start purchasing them. Michigan has already passed laws that prohibit anyone under 18 years old from possessing guns.

The anti-gun movement doesn’t care about these things because they want to make firearm ownership more difficult for responsible citizens. It isn’t about keeping people safe; it is about keeping as many people disarmed as possible.