The parents of two sisters who survived the Oxford High School shootings have filed two $100 million suits against the district and its officials.
The parents of two sisters who survived the Nov.30 shooting at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit filed two $100 million lawsuits in federal court on Thursday against the school district and its officials, including the superintendent, principal, dean of students, two guidance counselors and two teachers. The plaintiffs are Jeffrey and Brandi Franz, parents of Riley, a 17-year-old senior, and Bella, a 14-year-old freshman. Riley was shot in the neck in front of her sister. The lawsuit claims constitutional violations under the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection, and violations under Michigan state law, because the teenagers “had a clearly established right to be free from danger.” And, the lawsuit states, school staff members acted in “reckless disregard” for the victims’ safety. The shooting killed four students and seriously injured several others. Ethan Crumbley,15, has been charged with murder and terrorism. His parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, because, the prosecutor has said, they should have known that their son was a danger to his school.
