News | Risk

February 2024 — A Landmark School Shooting Ruling is Handed Down

By Daniel Young | March 5, 2024 | 3 min read
Industry news feb

There’s a lot going on in the world of physical risk and vulnerability; it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the latest news and developments. We’ll keep you informed with the best content to keep your organization safe and secure. Check out the top news and headlines from the past month.

Jury finds the Michigan school shooter’s mother guilty of manslaughter

From the Associated Press: A Michigan jury convicted a school shooter’s mother of involuntary manslaughter this past month in the killings of four students in 2021, making her the first parent in the U.S. to be held responsible for a child carrying out a mass school attack. Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley had a duty under state law to prevent her son, who was 15 at the time, from harming others. She was accused of failing to secure a gun and ammunition at home and failing to get help to support Ethan Crumbley’s mental health. The four guilty verdicts — one for each student slain at Oxford High School — were returned after roughly 11 hours of deliberations.

Our take:

This is a landmark case. It’s the first time a court has ever reached beyond the active shooter in a school shooting and held the parents responsible. This ruling should put parents and other caregivers on notice; they are not immune to consequences if they contributed in some way to an unhealthy environment that fostered a school shooter.

House explosion in Virginia caused by underground propane tank

From NBC: A 500-gallon underground propane tank was found at a Virginia home that exploded February 16, killing one firefighter and injuring others, officials said. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue were called to the home in Sterling around 7:40 p.m. for a gas leak, Chief Keith Johnson said at a news conference.

Our take:

This explosion underlines the need for proper and regular inspections of fuel tanks and other hazards in homes. We often talk about assessing businesses on this blog, but it’s equally important that items like propane tanks are inspected to ensure they are not dangerous.

2 dead after small plane crashes into car, creating fiery explosion on Florida highway

From USA Today: Two people were killed on Feb. 9 when a small plane that had lost both its engines crashed into a vehicle on a Florida interstate as the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing, authorities said. Five people were on board the private jet when it crashed near a highway exit in Florida's Collier County, creating a fiery debris field that caused officials to close Interstate 75, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Our take:

No one expects a plane to crash on their car, but accidents happen ( and this incident has been ruled an accident by investigators.) We’re pleased to see that the driver of the car and passengers had the presence of mind to escape the vehicle, and that most of the airplane crew and passengers were also able to escape.

February’s Top Security Grants

FEMA’s 2024 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant: The Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants to develop sustainable, multidisciplinary targeted violence and terrorism prevention capabilities in local communities, to pilot innovative prevention approaches, and to identify prevention best practices that can be replicated in communities across the country. Grant closes: May 2

FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Fire Prevention And Safety Grants: The Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants are part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to reduce injury and prevent death among high-risk populations. Grant closes: March 8


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