Michigan’s Attorney General’s Office could soon carry out an investigation into the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School.
Governor Whitmer’s supplemental budget proposal for the current fiscal year includes a request to direct $1 million from the state’s general fund to the Attorney General. According to language in the document, that money would “support a comprehensive criminal and civil review of the handling of events at Oxford High School.”
Because a supplemental budget serves as an update to the current state spending plan, the intent would be for that funding to be used in the coming months.
Victims’ families have been asking for a state review of the 2021 shooting to see if anything could have been done differently in the lead up to the event. A private review into the actions of the school was conducted, but the families argue it did not have full subpoena power — something an AG investigation would have.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has said in the past that she’s willing to take up the review. She has argued that hasn’t happened in part because her offers to help Oakland County law enforcement have been turned down in the past.
Nessel has also brought up logistical concerns around carrying out an investigation more than three years after an event. While money from the Michigan general fund would answer the funding question, the attorney general has said questioning witness could be challenging at this stage.
It is unclear what an AG investigation into the Oxford shooting could ultimately look like.
Governor Whitmer’s supplemental budget proposal still needs final approval in Lansing.
Dana Nessel’s office did not respond to WDET’s request for comment in time for post.
