Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said that starting at around 12:51 p.m. on Nov. 30, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office received more than 100 calls to dispatch about an active shooter at Oxford High School, a school with roughly 1800 students.
Deputies responded to the school as cars were dispatched at 12:52 p.m., and within five minutes of the first 911 call, the suspected shooter, a 15-year-old sophomore student, was taken into custody.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said that the firearm used in the attack was purchased by the suspect’s father on Nov. 26, just four days before the shooting. He also confirmed that the gun had seven more rounds in it when the suspect was apprehended by police.
The deputy assigned to the school and another deputy were responsible for making the request.
“He did not give us any resistance when he was taken into custody,” McCabe said. “He is currently being transported back to Pontiac for potential — he’s already invoked his right to not speak, so he wants an attorney. He’s not telling us anything at this point in time.”
McCabe also said that the 15-year-old did not fire shots at officers and they recovered a semi-automatic handgun from him. The 15-year-old was not injured.
No one should be afraid to go to school, work, a house of worship, or even their own home. Gun violence is a public health crisis that claims lives every day. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer
“It’s unfortunate that I have to report that we have three deceased victims right now, who are believed to be students,” McCabe said.
A 16 -year-old male, a 14-year-old female, and a 17-year-old female were killed. According to Bouchard, one of the employees in the 911 center as part of the team taking the over 100 911 calls lost a relative in the shooting.
The 14-year-old female was identified as Hanna St. Julian
The 16-year-old male was identified as Tate Myre, a football superstar that was recently recognized for his abilities on the field. He was one of six players named to the Red Division Team in the “All-Oakland Activities Association.”
Myre succumbed to his injuries in a patrol car after a deputy, who recognized the severity of his wounds, put him in his patrol car to take him to safety.
The 17-year-old female victim was identified by family as Madisyn Baldwin. She was a senior at Oxford High School who was the eldest of three siblings and had already been accepted into several colleges with full scholarships. She was described as an artist who loved to draw, read, and write.
17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin, 16-year-old Tate Myre, and 14-year-old Hanna St. Julian are the three deceased after a deadly school shooting at Oxford High School.
“It’s surreal,” her grandmother, who remained anonymous in an interview with WDIV, said. “It’s traumatizing. She touched so many people. She had so much patience. She was so kind.”
In addition to the three killed, eight others were shot during the incident, including one teacher.
The victims include a 15-year-old male in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head, a 14-year-old male in serious condition with a jaw and head gunshot wound, a 17-year-old female in stable condition with a neck gunshot wound, a 15-year-old male in stable condition with a leg gunshot wound, a 17-year-old male in stable condition with a hip gunshot wound, a 47-year-old teacher who was discharged after being treated for a left shoulder gunshot wound, a 17-year-old female in critical condition with a chest gunshot wound, and a 14-year-old female in critical condition with chest and neck gunshot wounds who had to be placed on a ventilator after getting out of surgery.
Bouchard said that he has assigned a deputy to each family indefinitely for as long as they need.
“This wound will never go away, and we understand that,” he said. “We want the community to know that we are here for them. We will leave no stone unturned in making sure that this investigation is full and complete before it’s turned over to hold this individual accountable.”
Police vehicles on the scene of a Nov. 30, 2021, shooting at Oxford High School. Photo: WDIV
Police also said the shooter fired around 15 to 20 shots and multiple shell casings were found in the school.
McCabe said that they believe the 15-year-old acted alone and there are no other shooters or gunmen involved but they will be checking social media and speaking with other students to confirm. Officials are also going to be researching for warning signs.
A search warrant has been executed at the suspect’s home and McCabe said that he could be charged as an adult, but that decision would be made by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
I want to say to one family tonight I am very sorry I could not bring your daughter home safely to you. I tried very hard to save her and could not. I am very broken hearted that I could not. – Lake Orion Police Department
Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald confirmed in a statement that her office has “begun the process of receiving information regarding the investigation.”
“I was both horrified and saddened to learn about the shootings at Oxford High School this afternoon,” she said in a statement. “My office and I have been in constant communication with the Sheriff’s Office, the Oakland County Juvenile Court, and other governmental and law enforcement bodies. It is our intent to review it thoroughly and issue appropriate charges quickly.”
Part of the school’s emergency plan involved using the nearby Meijer on Lapeer Road just north of the school as a meeting point. The store closed down to help police reunite students with their parents.
Officials did a second and third search of the school to ensure there were no other victims and there are at least 100 different detectives and support staff members at the scene.
Video: A student’s TikTok video showing students jumping out of the school’s first story window to flee to the main entrance of the school for safety
John Lyman, a public information officer for the Rochester Hills Fire Department, said about 25 agencies responded alongside the police department, nearly 60 ambulances were sent to the school, and helicopters because they weren’t sure how many people would need to be transported.
In a social media post, the Lake Orion Police Department wrote, “I want to take this moment to send my condolences to the Oxford High School students, staff, and families of the students injured and were killed during this senseless act. I want to say to one family tonight I am very sorry I could not bring your daughter home safely to you. I tried very hard to save her and could not. I am very broken hearted that I could not. From me and the Lake Orion Police Officers, we are broken hearted for all of you that lost someone today.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a press conference that this is a parent’s worst nightmare.
“My heart breaks for the students, teachers, staff, and families of Oxford High School,” she said. “The death of multiple students and the shooting of many others, including a teacher, is horrific. I want to thank the first responders on the ground working hard to keep people safe as law enforcement officials investigate this shooting and get the community the help it needs right now.”
Whitmer also said that residents need to protect each other.
“As Michiganders, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to protect each other from gun violence,” she said. “No one should be afraid to go to school, work, a house of worship, or even their own home. Gun violence is a public health crisis that claims lives every day. We have the tools to reduce gun violence in Michigan. This is a time for us to come together and help our children feel safe at school. My heart is with the parents who had their children taken from them today and with the entire community in Oxford.”
Attorney General Dana Nessel said that her department has offered assistance as well.
“My heart goes out to the parents who have lost their children and to the students, teachers, staff, and families reeling from the tragedy of a school shooting within their community,” she said. “My department has reached out to local law enforcement to offer assistance as this investigation unfolds and I want to extend my sincere gratitude to first responders on the scene. We must act to properly address gun violence in our schools and the ongoing threat of another unconscionable tragedy if we continue to only offer thoughts and prayers. Our kids deserve better.”
Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state to be lowered at half-staff immediately and until further notice to honor and remember the victims.
The school district announced that all schools in the district will be closed for the remainder of the week, issuing this statement:
“Our school community is grieving a most horrific tragedy as an active shooter opened fire at Oxford High School at approximately 1 p.m. today. We are devastated to share that three of our precious students have lost their lives. Seven students and one staff member have been injured and are being treated for their injuries. As we face the unimaginable, we are grateful for the swift action of our first responders. The suspect was apprehended by Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and is in custody. Our school community will need everyone’s most sincere support during this tragic time.
“All schools in the district, including OELC, will be closed for the remainder of the week. The district crisis team is currently gathering to implement our response plan to support everyone in need in our school community. More details will be sent as they become available. A 24/7 resource and crisis helpline/text/chat is on hand now for anyone who would like to speak with professionally trained helpline volunteers from Common Ground at 800-231-1127. Below are some resources to help you navigate the difficult and necessary conversations with your family surrounding today’s tragedy: Talking to Children About Violence for Parents and Talking to Children About Violence, Companion Infographic, Talking to Children About Violence for Parents and Talking to Children About Violence – Spanish Version. Please keep our Wildcat families in your thoughts and prayers.”
The post 3 dead, 8 injured in Oxford High School shooting, 15-year-old in custody appeared first on ArabAmericanNews.
