Independent investigation report into shooting at Oxford High School delayed until spring
OXFORD, Mich. - Guidepost Solutions says they are delaying the release of their investigation into the shooting at Oxford High School.
The firm says there have been a number of reasons for the delay, including a change in leadership at the district.
In November, superintendent Ken Weaver announced he was going on medical leave immediately and would officially resign in February.
Two board members also resigned.
Guidepost Solutions said they would have the report done in late January, but now they are saying it won't be done until the spring.
Because of these personnel changes and the opportunity to report to the Oxford community on the current security and threat assessment practices with additional information that derives from the increase in voluntary cooperation, Guidepost’s first report will now be released in Spring 2023.
In October, the firm started interviewing witnesses, administrators, staff and teachers to gather information about the days leading up to the shooting at the high school on November 30, 2021 and the days after the shooting as well.
This past November, Guidepost Solutions said they had lacked cooperation when it came to these interviews, they had only about 50% of people who did an interview.
Now the firm says that has increased and they are confident more people will want to be interviewed, getting that number up to 70-80%.
But the firm is still having issues with getting full participation including from critical witnesses, this is what they said on Friday:
Guidepost cannot compel cooperation. In an investigation where cooperation is entirely voluntary, it is not unusual to receive imperfect participation especially where there is a fear of criminal or civil liability to self, coworkers, or the district. However, in this investigation because to our knowledge no District official or employee faces criminal charges, and generally are indemnified by the district, we find it unfortunate that certain witnesses have decided not to voluntarily cooperate to help make Oxford Community Schools stronger, to provide transparency to the community each serves, and to help a review that is intended to inform ways that Oxford Community Schools and school districts across Michigan and this nation can better provide safety and security to students, teachers, staff and other community members from violence.
Oxford Community Schools interim Superintendent Dr. Vickie Marakavitch said this:
From Day One, Oxford Community Schools has encouraged – and we will continue to encourage – our school employees to participate in the third-party review process so our students, staff and families receive a full accounting of the events before, during and after Nov. 30. Through the criminal investigation, the numerous lawsuits that are pending and the ongoing third-party review process led by our School Board we are confident a thorough, accurate and transparent accounting of the facts will be provided, and our community will get the transparency and accountability it deserves.
On November 30, 2021, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley opened fire and killed four students and wounded six other students and a teacher.
In district court preliminary hearings school officials detailed the days and months leading up to this shooting.
Crumbley plead guilty in October to shooting and killing those students.
READ MORE: Guilty plea due in Michigan school shooting that killed 4
His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley both charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of these students.
Their court case is currently on hold as their attorneys have argued there was not enough evidence to bound over their case to circuit court.
The Michigan Court of Appeals is set to hear the case.
Since November 30, 2021, multiple lawsuits have been filed against the district citing negligence.
