Michigan State University issued a shelter-in-place order on Monday evening, Feb. 13, after shots were fired on campus, police said.
The shooting happened around 8:20 p.m. near Berkey Hall, which is home to the College of Social Science on the northern boundary of campus. Officers found several victims at that scene. Shots were also fired at the student union.
In an alert was sent to the MSU community. The alert ordered students and staff to “secure-in-place” and to monitor alert.msu.edu for information.
Police say there were at least three confirmed fatalities in addition to at least five victims who were taken to the hospital. Some of the victims hospitalized received life-threatening injuries.
Police described the suspect shooter as a short-in-stature, black male, wearing red shoes, a jean jacket and a ball cap. He’s been identified as Anthony McRae, 43. About three hours after the shootings, McRae was located off campus. It appears he has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
With the threat to campus over, the shelter-in-place was lifted.
All victims of the shooting are reported to be students. The five who are hospitalized are reported to be in critical condition.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was updated about the shooting. Whitmer tweeted, “The Michigan State Police along with @msupolice, local law enforcement and first responders are on the ground. Let’s wrap our arms around the Spartan community tonight. We will keep everyone updated as we learn more.”
All campus activities are canceled for 48 hours, including athletics, classes, and all campus-related activities.
UPDATE: IM East is being secured. It appears there is only one suspect at this time. pic.twitter.com/URHdQFAQyR
— MSU Police and Public Safety (@msupolice) February 14, 2023
UPDATE: The suspect is believed to be on foot right now. Community members on and off campus should continue to shelter in place. Police are continuing to respond. pic.twitter.com/FIUligmEBC
— MSU Police and Public Safety (@msupolice) February 14, 2023
2 comments
Another nutbag criminal disregards a gun-free zone. Criminals don’t follow rules and regulations. This deeply disturbed individual didn’t care about his life or any others on the campus. What a horrible tragedy for the families who lost loved ones and the injured victims.
University policy turned those kids into sitting ducks, helpless targets for the shooter to pick off at his leisure! Imagine how differently this would have gone if the legally qualified students had been allowed to defend themselves…