SHOOTER’S PARENTS COOPERATING WITH AUTHORITIES
THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS FAILED TO ASSASSIN FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. CROOKS WAS KILLED BY SECRET SERVICE SNIPERS
IN THE USA, MANY PARENTS HAVE BEEN HELD LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S GUN RELATED CRIMES
BY SNN.BZ STAFF
There have been several cases in the USA where parents were held legally responsible for their children’s actions involving firearms. There are many such cases, but here are a few notable examples:
Ethan Crumbley Case: Ethan Crumbley’s parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after their son used a gun they had purchased for him to kill four students at Oxford High School in Michigan. The parents were accused of ignoring warning signs about their son’s mental health and failing to secure the firearm properly.
Jeffrey Weise Case: In 2005, Jeffrey Weise, a 16-year-old, used his grandfather’s unsecured firearms to kill nine people and injure five others at Red Lake Senior High School in Minnesota. Although Weise’s grandfather was deceased, the case highlighted the importance of securing firearms to prevent access by minors
Kip Kinkel Case: In 1998, Kip Kinkel used his parents’ firearms to kill his parents and then went on a shooting spree at Thurston High School in Oregon, killing two students and injuring 25 others. While his parents were not held legally responsible due to their deaths, the case underscored the need for responsible gun storage.
T.J. Lane Case: In 2012, T.J. Lane used a firearm owned by his uncle to kill three students and injure three others at Chardon High School in Ohio. Although Lane’s uncle was not charged, the incident raised questions about the responsibility of adults in securing their firearms.
These cases illustrate the varying degrees of legal responsibility parents and guardians can face when their children access unsecured firearms and commit violent acts. The outcomes often depend on the specific circumstances, including the parents’ knowledge of their child’s intentions and their efforts to secure the weapons.
Both of Ethan Crumbley’s parents were sentenced to 15 years in prison and had to listen to victim impact statements from the four dead students’ relatives before being taken into custody to begin their 15 year prison sentences. Ethan Crumbley’s parents defied and were uncooperative with authorities.
The legal responsibility of Thomas Matthew Crooks’ parents is still under investigation. Unlike in the Ethan Crumbley case, where the parents were found responsible for their son’s actions and were totally uncooperative, the situation with the Crooks family is different.
Both Crooks’ parents, are licensed social workers. They had contacted the police to report their son and the gun missing on the day of the incident. Both parents were cooperative with authorities.
The FBI is currently investigating Crooks’ background and motives and there has been no indication yet that his parents will face legal charges similar to those in the Crumbley case. Each case is unique, and the legal outcomes depend on various factors, including the parents’ knowledge and actions leading up to the incident.
