Court of Appeal dismisses lawsuit against Oxford schools

PONTIAC, Michigan (WNEM) – The Michigan State Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier court's decision to dismiss the lawsuit against Oxford Community Schools (OCS) and its employees related to the deadly 2021 school massacre on grounds of sovereign immunity.

The announcement was made on Thursday, September 19th.

In March 2023, Oakland County District Judge Mary Ellen Brennan ruled that OCS and its employees were protected by governmental immunity under the Government Tort Liability Act and therefore dismissed all lawsuits related to the November 2021 Oxford High School shooting.

Related: Judge: Oxford schools and staff immune from shooting lawsuits

The shooting was committed by Ethan Crumbley, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole in December 2023.

Related: Oxford school shooter sentenced to life imprisonment without parole

On Thursday, the Michigan State Court of Appeals upheld Brennan's decision, and Ven Johnson Law – which represents several affected students and their families – plans to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court.

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