A 15-year-old sophomore at Oxford High School in Michigan, identified as Ethan Crumbley, opened fire on students and faculty on Nov. 30, 2021. The suspect was armed with a semi-automatic handgun, bought just three days before the fatal shooting by the boy’s father. 

Killing three of his fellow classmates and critically injuring eight more, this epidemic of school shootings is a nightmare remembered all too well in the American school system after a halt of in-person schooling during the beginning stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the 28th school shooting of 2021.

It is estimated that the gunman fired just around 12 shots and seven rounds remained in the gun following the shooting, said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard at a news conference on Tuesday night.

Just before 1 p.m., the first 911 call came in, followed by hundreds more, as panicked students rushed for cover in any available room and used chairs as barricades. During a passing period, the suspect emerged from a bathroom and began firing into the hallway at random. Within five minutes, 11 people were gunned down. Nearly three minutes after authorities arrived on the scene, they took the gunman into custody, where he is now being sentenced. 

There are also allegations of the teen posting a haunting quote on Instagram hours before the attack, writing: “Now I become death, destroyer of worlds, see you tomorrow Oxford.” Crumbley is currently being held without bond at Oakland County Jail. Being charged as an adult, Crumbley is facing one count of terrorism causing death, four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. She remains confident that this attack was indisputably premeditated, stating that there is “a mountain of digital evidence.” There are also talks of Crumbley’s parents facing charges.

As of Wednesday, four students are deceased as a result of the ambush, Madisyn Baldwin, 17; described by her grandmother as a “beautiful, smart, sweet, loving girl” was expected to graduate this year and was already accepted into many schools, some with full-ride scholarships. Tate Myre, 16; remembered as a hero for trying to disarm the shooter, was a linebacker and tight end on the Oxford High School football team. Hana St. Juliana, 14; a freshman who played on the volleyball and basketball teams for the school, remembered as “one of the happiest and most joyful kids,” said McDonald. Justin Shilling, 17; co-captain of the school’s bowling team, was also expected to graduate this year.