Angry Michigan Democrats today called for gun reform after MSU’s shooting, which came just a year after the Oxford High School shooting.
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin was furious at having to stand on the podium again so soon after the Oxford tragedy that killed four students.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this again 15 months later. I’m furious that we have to hold another press conference about the killing of our children in schools,” she fumed.
Earlier, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “We can’t go on living like this.”
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin was furious at having to stand on the podium again so soon after the Oxford tragedy that killed four students
The shooter in last night’s attack has been identified as Anthony McRae, a 43-year-old who has no known ties to the school.
It remains unclear what his motive for the shooting is or what type of weapon he used.
McRae killed himself before the police got to him; he managed to avoid them for three hours.
He killed three MSU students at two different locations on campus last night and injured five others. The names of the victims will be released later today.
McRae terrorized the campus for nearly four hours – running the streets, brandishing a gun and firing bullets, multiple reports confirmed – but police have yet to determine a motive.
The security camera clip showed the man, wearing a denim jacket, ball cap and red sneakers, casually walking down a street after just shooting two different locations on campus.
The 43-year-old gunman entered an academic building called Berkey Hall at 8:18 p.m. and shot residents indiscriminately. Two people died at the scene and three others suffered serious injuries.
Police officers showed up at the scene in response to a barrage of urgent 911 calls, but the killer had already left the premises, exiting the building west and slinking down campus streets while searching for his next victims.
The suspected gunman pictured was last seen exiting the union building. He wore a denim jacket, red shoes, a black mask and a baseball cap. Police confirmed that he has since passed away
The security camera clip showed the man, wearing a denim jacket, ball cap and red sneakers, casually walking down a street after just shooting two different locations on campus
He was strolling down the street very calmly, even though he had just committed murder
Less than 15 minutes later, gunshots were reported at the MSU Union building, a popular place for students to eat, drink and study just a 10-minute walk from Berkey Hall.
Another person was killed at MSU Union and two others were injured.
Chris Rozman, Michigan State University’s acting deputy chief of police, said: “We have no idea why he came onto campus. He was in no way affiliated with Michigan State University – he is not a faculty, student or staff member.’
Rozman confirmed the five injured who were gunned down in Monday night’s terror are in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital.
The MSU campus will now be closed for 48 hours after the attack.
Michigan State University Police Chief Marlon Lynch announced around 12:30 p.m. that the shooter was dead.
He said, “The suspect was off MSU campus and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It really was a nightmare.”
Lynch said the shelter-in-place order had been lifted. He added: “This is the beginning of a long healing process for those affected. There are various crime scenes that we are working with our state and federal partners and there is still a lot to do.”
Michigan police released this photo of the shooter in a bid to track him down. He has now died after pointing the gun at himself, police confirmed
The 43-year-old man was shot dead in the city of East Lansing
The police gave their first press conference at 11 p.m. Chris Rozman later confirmed that the shooter died after the rampage on Monday night
Rozman previously urged terrified students on campus to stay in a safe place while they hunt down the suspect – who was described as wielding a “long gun”.
The police chief urged everyone to stay away from the area and confirmed that all college activities will be canceled for the next 48 hours.
College student Gabe Treutle was taking a chemistry quiz when he got news of a campus shooting on his cell phone.
He told CNN: “Shortly after receiving the alert, I turned on police radar in our area.
“About ten minutes after me, we got a report that the shooter wandered into an area block just once away from where I was. That really scared us.
“We barricaded the door. We emerged through the windows trying to make sure he didn’t come towards us. It’s not the best situation in our situation, but five minutes later the entire building was evacuated. The dining room area. The police came to make sure everyone was okay.’
Another student, Connor Anderson, explained that he was having dinner in the campus cafeteria when gunfire rang out on campus.
“I was in the cafeteria on the second floor. I got a text from someone saying there was a shooting. It was across campus. Basically we’re in lockdown, everything was quiet, everyone was listening to police reports,” Anderson explained.
“We heard that the shooter is approaching the location. I still thought we were safe. At some point we started barricading the doors. The task force and the cops came in and told us to leave the cafeteria. We stormed down the stairs. We had our hands up. And we had to go to the nearest bus stop. The shots got closer and we were stranded by a parking garage.
“It was a scary situation on all levels. When the police said, okay, “you have to get out of here,” it was chaos. Complete chaos.
“People were trampled, we had to go down and there was only one way out. It took a while.
“All my friends are safe, but we’re barricaded in my dorm.
“When we got back to our dormitory, the police carried out body checks and beat everyone up.”
Terrified students try to flee to safety on Monday night, checking their phones for the latest information
University students hug after Monday night’s campus shooting
Police officers surround a scene where the suspect was as they respond to a shooting at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, on February 14, 2023
Students gather on the Michigan State University campus after early Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich
How the terror unfolded on the Michigan State University campus
- 8:18 p.m.: Gunman opens fire at Berkey Hall academic building, killing two
- The shooter exits Berkey Hall just before the police arrive and walks across the college campus towards the MSU Union building
- 8:30 p.m.: The gunman enters the MSU Union building and kills another victim
- The shooter escapes from the MSU Union through the north exit and makes his way to the town of East Lansing before police arrive
- 10:00 p.m.: Cops release security camera footage and a description of the suspect
- Midnight: The gunman was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at an unknown location north of the crime scene in East Lansing City
Helicopters explored the head as the urgent search for the shooter continued during the lockdown – with FBI teams spread out across the 5,200-acre campus.
Rozman said the incident began at 8:18 p.m. at Berkey Hall on the East Lansing campus. It ended with the 43-year-old gunman killing himself just after midnight.
He said: “We were on the scene quickly, within minutes, and there we located several victims of a shooting. The incident moved to a building in close proximity – the Michigan State Union building, where there was another report of a shooting immediately after the first incident was reported.
Rozman said there was “an overwhelming law enforcement response” to the shooting. He said there was a suspect and he was “last seen exiting the MSU Union on foot on the north side of this building.”
It’s currently unclear which route the gunman took – but initial reports say gunshots were heard from different parts of campus as the incident unfolded.
Just after 10pm – about an hour and a half after the gunman’s alarm went off – police confirmed a number of buildings and dormitories had been cleared and secured. These included Brody Hall, Snyder Phillips Hall, Mason Hall, Abbot Hall, Landon Hall, the MSU Union, and Berkey Hall.
The Michigan state shooting comes on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the Valentine’s Day shooting at a Parkland, Fla., high school that killed 17 people.
It also follows the February 14, 2008 shooting at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, in which a gunman killed five students and injured 17 others before fatally shooting himself.
Police are seen on campus responding to the reports of an active shooter
The campus was in lockdown Monday night as police responded to reports of a shooting
There was a heavy police presence on campus with agents from the FBI and ATF as well as campus police and state forces
Students wrapped in blankets are seen in front of campus buildings after being evacuated
Shocked students are urged to protect themselves on the spot. Police have now confirmed there is no longer a threat on campus
Michigan State University students are evacuated to a safe area during an active campus shooter situation
The university tweeted at 8:30 p.m.: “MSU ALERT: Shots have been fired near Berkey Hall on the East Lansing campus. Please save immediately. The police are active on site. Further information follows.’
An alert was sent out shortly after, urging local students to “run, hide, fight.”
It read: “Running means moving away from danger when you can do so safely, hiding means securing yourself in place and fighting means protecting yourself when there is no other option.”
Multiple reports said a person ran across campus with a long gun and a hood. Police later released a picture of the shooter wearing a cap.
MSU said the suspect was on foot and they believe the shooter acted alone.
About an hour later, campus police reported, “There is another reported shooting in IM East.” This is a campus fitness center about a mile from Berkey Hall, where police first fired shots.
Police are seen on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing after reports of an active gunman
Crying students find refuge at the Broad Art Museum near Berkey Hall on the Michigan State University campus
Emergency responders respond to a shooting at Michigan State University in East Lansing
MSU tweeted at 10:10 p.m. EST, “Victims are currently being transported to Sparrow Hospital. Brody Hall, Snyder/Phillips Hall, Mason Hall, Abbot Hall, Landon Hall, MSU Union and Berkey Hall have all been evacuated/secured.’
A Fox News 59 correspondent at the scene reported that people were being escorted out of Berkey Hall and they looked bloodied.
Detroit ATF – the police explosives unit – went to the scene, accompanied by the FBI. They tweeted, “The FBI is responding to support the reports of an active shooter on the Michigan State University campus.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tweeted, “I was briefed on the Michigan State University shooting. Michigan State Police are on the scene along with @MSUPolice, local law enforcement and first responders.
“Let’s wrap our arms around the Spartan community tonight. We’ll update everyone as we learn more.’
Gary Peters, a senator representing Michigan, said: “My staff and I are closely following the horrific shooting at Michigan State University and are in touch with local officials.
“I urge the students and community of East Lansing to stay safe and follow the advice of law enforcement.”
East Lansing Public Schools has notified parents of students that K-12 schools in the district will be closed Tuesday while Michigan State University’s shooting situation is assessed.
The university itself has also canceled all courses. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, three miles east of Michigan’s capital, Lansing.
It is home to 50,000 students and is located on one of the nation’s largest and greenest campuses, stretching over 5,200 acres.