(NewsNation) — The mother of Justin Shilling, one of the four victims killed by Ethan Crumbley at Oxford High School, demands accountability from everyone, including the school.
This comes after the shooter’s mother, Jennifer Crumbley, was found guilty on all counts. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 9, with a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Meanwhile, James Crumbley, Ethan’s father, is set to face trial soon, facing similar charges of involuntary manslaughter for purchasing the gun used by his son.
“I don’t have much compassion for them,” Jill Soave said. “It’s three parts. It’s the shooter. It’s the parents and it’s the school. And each of them should be held accountable to the fullest, because we have four dead children.”
Soave expressed her belief that both Jennifer and James Crumbley, not only failed their son but also every child at the school that day.
“I’m exhausted but I’m not going to give up until everyone’s held accountable. Because my son did not deserve to die the way he died,” Soave said.
Soave recounted the chaotic and traumatic experience of the fateful day in November 2021, having two of her children inside the school during the shooting.
“He was just so sweet to me. I lost my best friend,” Soave said of Justin who reportedly saved another student’s life.
Meghan Gregory, whose son Keegan witnessed the shooting firsthand, was shielded by Justin.
Gregory expressed gratitude and sorrow for the loss, acknowledging the immense impact of Justin’s bravery on her family. “Our hearts were both broken, and happy. I mean, how can you ever repay or thank someone for saving your child or protecting him, keeping him calm, putting him on the toilet so that he was behind him. I mean, there’s no words, I can’t thank him enough,” she said.
Reflecting on Crumbley’s demeanor during the trial, Gregory expressed disbelief at the defendant’s actions, particularly as a parent. “I just kept thinking, ‘What is she doing? Is that really the way that you parent your child?'” Gregory remarked. “I just couldn’t get over the negligence.”
Gregory also believes the school is culpable for not disciplining Ethan when they found a violent drawing of a gun, bullet and wounded man, accompanied by desperate phrases, on his math assignment.
“They need to be held accountable, just as the parents and the shooter,” Gregory said.
Soave has opened the Justin Shilling Foundation in honor of her son.