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HALF-BROTHER of Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley has spoken out about life with Ethan, and his disbelief when he discovered he was the shooter.
Eli Crumbley hadn’t spoken to Ethan Crumbley or his father, James, in the two months leading up to the shooting, and said his brother always seemed happy.
Who is Eli Crumbley?
Eli Crumbley, 19, shares a father with his half-brother, Ethan Crumbley, 17, and originally lived with them when his parents separated.
The family previously lived in Jacksonville, Florida where Eli’s mom also resided, but James and Eli’s stepmom eventually moved them to Oxford, Michigan.
After some time living with his father and stepmother, Jennifer, Eli said something “felt off.”
He eventually moved back to Florida to live with his mom in March 2021, leaving Ethan behind.
What did Eli Crumbley say about the shooting?
When Eli found out his brother was the shooter suspect, he was shocked.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Mail on December 1, 2021, Eli said when he heard about the shooting, he immediately called his dad to make sure Ethan was alright.
“I was worried, I wanted to see if Ethan was okay because I knew he went (to Oxford High School),” Eli said. “And then that’s when I was receiving information otherwise.”
His surprise mounted when he found out his father was the person who purchased the gun used in the shooting and said he “didn’t know (his father) had a gun till after this happened.”
What did Eli Crumbley say his brother was like?
Eli described Ethan as a simple, quiet boy who enjoyed playing Minecraft.
He claimed there was no indication that Ethan was struggling with bullying, mental health, or that he was unhappy in any way.
“As far as I knew, Ethan was always good,” Eli told The Daily Mail. “He was just quiet, kept to himself, kept his circle of friends small. He was a clean kid, didn’t smoke or do drugs, nothing.
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“And he got good grades. He wanted to be an archeologist.”
Eli said when he was living with his father, stepmom, and brother, “nothing seemed off.”
Although The Daily Mail reported that Eli was not inclined to discuss his family, he said his reasoning for moving back to Florida mostly had to do with his stepmother.
He told the outlet:“(their relationship) wasn’t as great as it could be” and “moving back to Florida was the best option.”
Eli continuously described Ethan as happy and focused on getting good grades. He said his half-brother didn’t suffer from depression or anything else.
“He woke up happy, went to school, came home, and played games.”
He said he doesn’t know why Ethan carried out the shooting but added that he would like to talk to him, adding, “but I don’t think that’s something that’s going to happen for a while.”
What is Ethan Crumbley charged with?
Ethan Crumbley was charged as an adult in the shooting that killed Hana St. Juliana, 14, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, Tate Myre, 16, and Justin Shilling, 17, and injured six others, including a teacher.
He was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of terrorism causing death, and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
His parents James and Jennifer Crumbley have also been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Their case is pending before the Michigan Supreme Court.
Crumbley has been at the Oakland County Jail since November 30, 2021, and on October 24, 2022, he pleaded guilty to all 24 charges.
On September 29, 2023, a Michigan judge ruled that the 17-year-old shooter can be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Crumbley was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on December 8, 2023.
