The mass shooting at Michigan State University on February 13 resulted in three students killed and five seriously injured and in critical condition. More than 19,000 students living in two areas on the campus were affected in the areas where the gunman was shooting. Students and staff were ordered to shelter-in-place while police searched for the shooter.
Students and staff were fearful for their lives as news of the shootings spread over the campus and the nearby city of East Lansing, Michigan. Around 8:18 pm, the police received multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting on the East Lansing campus at Berkey Hall. A second shooting was reported near the Michigan State University Union building.
University police identified the slain students as junior Arielle Anderson, sophomore Brian Fraser and junior Alexandria Verner.
University students barricaded themselves or hid in buildings and dorms as police officers searched the campus.
Interim Deputy Police Chief at Michigan State University, Chris Rozman, said the shooter was discovered a few hours later, at around 11:35 pm, outside the university’s East Lansing campus with a bullet wound. He shot himself as the police approached him. A gun was found near his body and another weapon was found in a backpack along with ammunition.
The shooter was identified as Anthony Dwayne McRae, 43, a resident of Lansing, Michigan. He had a criminal record and “a history of mental problems.” University administration said he had no known affiliation with the school.
Police said they had reason to believe the shooter may have planned to attack New Jersey schools as well.
The Michigan Attorney General’s Office is investigating how the gunman was able to purchase a weapon when he had a felony conviction on his record.
MSU Police tweeted that all five victims at the hospital were still in critical condition as of February 16.