Oxford shooter transferred to protective custody unit in northwest Michigan

The Oxford High School shooter has been transferred to a protective custody unit in northwest Michigan, the Michigan Department of Corrections said.

Ethan Crumbley, who was convicted of killing four students and injuring seven people in 2021, was moved Sunday to the Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee, according to Kyle Kaminski, a spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections.

Crumbley, 18, was transferred from a unit designated for prisoners under 18 at the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer.

“He reached the age of 18, so he was no longer eligible to reside in that specialized unit,” Kaminski said Monday. “He was moved to a protective custody unit at the Oaks Facility.”

Protective housing under the Corrections Department is used for reasons including notoriety of the inmate, former employees of law enforcement and prisoners who make verifiable requests for additional protection, Kaminski said.

“In (Crumbley’s) case, it relates to his notoriety,” he added.

Crumbley is serving a life sentence without the chance of parole after he pleaded guilty and was sentenced in December 2023. He was convicted after firing his gun 33 times in an attack at the Oakland County school in November 2021, killing Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; and Justin Shilling, 17. Seven people were injured in the attack, including a teacher. Crumbley was 15 at the time.

Crumbley’s parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were convicted in jury trials of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced 10-15 years in prison April 9 for gross negligence that contributed to the shooting.

They were the first parents in the United States to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with their child’s mass school shooting. They filed an intent to appeal their convictions last week.

Ethan Crumbley also has filed an intent to appeal. His appointed attorney previously said Crumbley would be invoking his right to remain silent if he were to be called as a witness in his parents’ appeals.

Attorneys for Ethan Crumbley were not immediately available for comment Monday evening.

jaimery@detroitnews.com