Former Oxford Schools Board President Says “This Shooting Could Have Been Avoided”

(CONTINUED) The whistleblowers say that the tenured policy, if adhered to, would have removed shooter Ethan Crumbley from school one day prior when he was reported to have been researching ammunition on his cell phone.

They also say that the Secret Service-designed policy would have removed Crumbley from the institution the day of the shooting, after he was caught drawing disturbing images alongside the words, “the thoughts won’t stop … help me.”

“This document changed everything from my perspective,” said Donnelly about the protocol. “There’s no evidence that we’ve ever used it as it is designed, even though since 2011, the policies and guidelines have been in our system.”

Donnelly and Bailey also allege that, when they discovered the lack of policy enforcement, an unidentified non-district individual discouraged disclosure due to potentially adverse ramifications for both the district and the community. 

The pair’s counsel, Attorney William Seikaly, though not referring specifically to the unidentified individual, did suggest that it is common for insurance company representatives to take over messaging in cases like these.

On November 30, 2021, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley drew a handgun from his backpack in the hallways of Oxford High, and used it to kill Tate Myre, Madisyn Baldwin, Hana St. Juliana, and Justin Shilling, as well as to injure seven others.

Crumbly pled guilty on October 25 to all 24 counts against him, including one count of terrorism and four counts of first-degree murder. Sentencing process for Crumbley commences this February.