Detroit-based artist Andrzej Sikora is the latest civilian affected by James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents to the Oxford High school shooter that left four dead and seven injured last week, after his parents made a handgun purchased on Black Friday available to their 15-year-old son, whose behavior had been flagged as dangerous by school administrators. As Oxford reeled from the violence, Oakland Country Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced on Friday, December 3, the intention to charge the student’s parents with four counts of involuntary manslaughter — citing their refusal to censure their son’s behavior or to pull him from school on the day of the shooting as staff raised concerns about him. The Crumbley parents did not show for their arraignment Friday afternoon in Rochester Hills, and the US Marshals Service offered a reward for information leading to their arrests.
Rather than turn themselves in, James and Jennifer Crumbley were arrested on Saturday, December 4, as they attempted to hide in Sikora’s studio space on Bellvue Street, on Detroit’s near east side, at the culmination of a manhunt that included local police, the FBI, and the US Marshal Service. Detroit police received a tip that led them to Sikora’s art studio, where police took them into custody.
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NOW: Detroit Police Chief James E. White confirms arrest of James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of alleged Oxford shooter Ethan Crumbley, 15, on the city’s east side.
We continue to extend our deepest condolences to the the community of Oxford.
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— Detroit Police News (@detroitpolice) December 4, 2021
“We believe they were assisted in that location, to get there, to get in, and we’re gathering that information and we’re going to have the totality of that done fairly soon and present that to our prosecutor for potential charges for either aiding and abetting or obstruction of justice,” said Oakland County Sherriff Michael Bouchard, to the Detroit Free Press. “That will be a determination by our prosecutor at some point in the near future. That is a work in progress.”
Sikora, 65, retained attorney Clarence Dass regarding his involvement with the Crumbleys — with whom he is reported to have at least a casual connection, described by PBS as a “friendly relationship” — and contacted authorities in Detroit and Oakland County following the discovery of James and Jennifer Crumbley early Saturday in a commercial space linked to him in the 1100 block of Bellevue.
“Mr. Sikora has not been charged with any crime,” Dass said in a statement Sunday, as reported by The Detroit News. “Nevertheless, upon learning of the Crumbleys’ arrest on Dec. 4, 2021, he voluntarily contacted the Detroit Police Department and Oakland County Sheriff’s Office to provide information. He maintains his innocence throughout this process and is fully cooperating with law enforcement to assist in their investigation.” There are plans to interview the artist further, regarding what role he may have played in harboring the fugitives, but as of now, no charges have been leveled.
Source: Hyperallergic.com