The parents of a teenager who brought a handgun to school and killed four classmates in 2021 were each sentenced to at least 10 years in prison on Tuesday for failing to take steps to prevent the tragedy.

Jennifer Crumbley and James Crumbley went on separate trials earlier this year and were found guilty of manslaughter in the death of their then-15-year-old son at their high school in Oxford, Michigan. crime. Seven others were injured.

The Crumbleys were the first parents in the United States to be convicted of a mass shooting involving their children.

Late last year, 17-year-old Ethan Crumbley was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder.

Judge Cheryl Matthews said on Tuesday the parents’ convictions were not for poor parenting but for “ignoring matters that would have chilled a reasonable person”.

“These convictions confirm repeated conduct, or lack thereof, that could have stopped an oncoming runaway train,” Matthews said.

Unknown to the parents, Ethan brought a handgun (which was freely available at home) to school, and they were called to school that day because Ethan drew a disturbing sketch of a gun and an injured man. The sketch includes a request for help.

Hours later, Ethan pulled a handgun from his backpack and opened fire, killing Tate Myre, 16; Hana Santa Juliana, 14; and Madisyn Baldwin ), 17; Justin Shilling, 17.

Some information comes from The Associated Press and Reuters.