ACCESS Newswire·Nov 11, 2026, 12:00 PM ET

McKey Law Founder Bracken McKey Featured on NBC Nightly News Discussing Potential Parental Criminal Liability

Lake Oswego attorney Bracken McKey provided legal commentary on NBC Nightly News regarding potential criminal charges for parents following an Oregon school shooting.
The report focused on whether the shooter's mother could face liability after authorities discovered she purchased the firearm used in the incident in August.
McKey stated that Oregon lacks a specific criminal law punishing parents of school shooters but noted existing statutes could apply if a parent ignored a substantial risk.
He explained that a manslaughter charge might be considered if investigators prove a parent disregarded a legally significant risk.
Criminal responsibility requires evidence of what a parent knew beforehand and their specific actions or omissions, not just the purchase of a weapon or the child's crime.
McKey emphasized that warning signs alone do not establish criminal liability without proof that the parent recognized their significance.
The attorney clarified that his commentary did not confirm criminal charges but outlined the legal framework for evaluating parental responsibility.
McKey, who has over 25 years of experience in criminal law, is the founder of McKey Law in Lake Oswego, Oregon.