Michigan vigil sees mass panic after Oxford School shooting as speakers urge crowd to ‘stay calm’
THE crowd at a vigil for the victims of a high school shooting in Michigan were left in panic as a speaker urged them to “stay calm.”
People began running in panicked confusion during the event on Friday evening, which was broadcast live.
“Someone passed out. There is no threat, no concern,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, informing the crowd that there had been a medical emergency.
“Believe me, if there was any concern, we would tell you it’s time to go,” added Coulter.
“We’re all emotional, we’re all on edge. Take a breath.”
A student from Oxford high school then sang an Ave Maria as the crowd settled and ambulances arrived at the scene.
Minutes before the crowd suddenly began yelling and running as Coulter began his address.
It was unclear at first what was happening, and the crowd quickly went into a panic.
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Meanwhile, many reacted to the uncertainty at the vigil online.
One Twitter user said: “Oh my goosh. How frightening. Watching the #Oxford Vigil and a scare just occurred.
“The crowd panicked. Someone in the crowd passed out and an ambulance is called.”
Another added: “This vigil is heavy & overwhelming. The crowd is immense & full of broken hearts.
I think televising it was a good idea. All of Michigan needs to lift this community up. It could of [sic] happened anywhere here. Sadly, it happens way too much everywhere.”
Hana St. Juliana, 14, Tate Myre, 16, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17, were killed in the tragic shooting on Monday, and several others were injured.
The vigil took place while the parents of alleged shooter Ethan Crumbley, 15, remain “fugitives,” according to authorities.
Jennifer and James were charged with involuntary manslaughter on Friday after prosecutors claimed their actions went “far beyond negligence” in the days prior to their son’s deadly massacre.
Crumbley and his parents quickly invoked their right to remain silent and retained a lawyer after the shooting.
It has since emerged that the gun authorities believed was used to carry out the massacre was purchased by James just days before his son allegedly opened fire.
Steve Huber, a spokesperson for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, told The Daily Beast that the Crumbleys are “now considered fugitives.“
A fugitive team is now reportedly hunting for the parents after they did not surrender at 2pm, as they were scheduled to. They were also set to be arraigned at 4pm.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard said: “If they think they’re gonna get away, they’re not.”
Justin and Jennifer were last seen by the public on Thursday when they tuned in to their 15-year-old son’s virtual arrangement from a car after he was indicted on murder, terrorism, and assault charges in relation to his alleged rampage at Oxford High on Monday.
In a statement to The Daily Beast, an attorney for the Crumbley family denied claims the couple is attempting to evade police, writing: “The Crumbleys left town on the night of the tragic shooting for their own safety. They are returning to the area to be arraigned.
“They are not fleeing from law enforcement despite recent comments in media reports.”
However, Michigan police have said they have not heard from the Crumbleys’ lawyer.
Jennifer and James are believed to be driving a black 2021 Kia Seltos SUV with the Michigan license plate number DQG 5203, as reported by NewsNation’s Brian Entin.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at 248-858-4911.
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