The father of the teenager responsible for the fatal shooting of four students at a Michigan high school had his jail communication privileges restricted due to “threatening statements,” as authorities announced on Thursday.

James Crumbley, 47, is currently facing trial on involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the 2021 Oxford High School shootings near Detroit.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office stated that Crumbley’s access to jail phone and electronic messages has been limited due to threatening statements made during these communications.

Consequently, his communication is now restricted to interactions with his lawyer, with no further details provided about the recipients of the alleged threatening statements, NBC News reported.

Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 years old at the time, carried out the shooting on November 30, 2021, using a 9 mm handgun purchased by his father four days earlier. Four students lost their lives in the incident.

Prosecutors argue that James Crumbley gave the semi-automatic Sig Sauer handgun to his son as a gift and failed to secure it properly or intervene to prevent the murders.

The prosecution contends that he provided the gun despite knowing his son was socially isolated and experiencing significant distress.

Crumbley’s defense maintains that he was unaware of any danger posed by his son or of his access to the firearm.

Written by B.C. Begley