In the ongoing trial of Jennifer Crumbley, a key witness took the stand on Tuesday to testify about the mother's actions and interactions on the day of the tragic shooting at Oxford High School. Andrew Smith, Crumbley's former boss and COO of a real estate company, provided important details about their interactions leading up to the incident.

Smith, who served as Crumbley's direct supervisor in 2021, testified that he received a text message from her at 10:05 a.m. on November 30, 2021. In the text, Crumbley informed Smith that she had to go to her son's school to meet with a counselor and expected to return by 11:30 a.m. or noon. She also shared a photo of a disturbing math worksheet on which her son had drawn violent images.

Later that day, around noon, Smith encountered Crumbley at their workplace in a copy room/storage area. He asked about her well-being, and she mentioned the need for her son to receive counseling. Although she did not specify it had to be done that day, Smith noted that Crumbley appeared distressed and expressed feelings of failing her son.

During a Zoom call around 1 p.m., Smith heard a commotion outside his office. Looking out, he witnessed Crumbley running down the hall, shouting about an active shooter at her child's school. Smith urged her to leave and ensure her safety. At 1:23 p.m., Crumbley texted Smith, informing him that the family's gun and bullets were missing. He responded, expressing concern and saying he was praying for everything to be okay.

Smith then visited the human resources office to show the HR director the text message he received from Crumbley. While there, he received a call from Crumbley, who was driving and trying to reach her son's school. Smith distinctly remembered hearing sirens blaring in the background during their conversation. Both Smith and the HR director advised Crumbley to call the police, to which she informed them that her husband had already done so.

During the short phone call, Crumbley mentioned that a family gun was missing. Smith and the HR director offered verbal support to Crumbley before he continued to receive alarming text messages from her. She expressed concern that her son may be the shooter and mentioned needing a lawyer. Smith chose not to respond immediately and eventually went home to be with his family.

Several hours later, Smith received another text from Crumbley and responded a few hours after that. He confirmed that Crumbley was terminated from her position as a marketing director two or three days after the shooting occurred.

The trial also revealed the text message exchange between Crumbley and Smith on the day of the shooting. Crumbley had deleted all the messages except for the final three, which were turned over to the prosecutors by Smith. The texts included Crumbley informing Smith about the counseling appointment, the disappearance of the gun and bullets, her suspicions about her son being the shooter, and her plea for a lawyer.

As the trial continues, these testimonies shed light on Crumbley's actions and mindset leading up to the tragic incident. The court will have to determine whether her alleged negligence contributed to the irreparable loss of four lives and the injuries inflicted upon seven others.