Latest on MSU Shooting: IDs for 3 Victims Released
updated at 6:25pm on 2/14/2023
The suspect believed to be responsible for a deadly shooting on the campus of Michigan State University killed himself as police approached late Monday night, according to authorities.
Police had released surveillance footage of the suspect earlier in the evening, and located a suspect matching the description roughly 5 miles away near Lake Lansing Rd. and Larch St. in Lansing. As officers approached, he reportedly shot himself.
The suspect was identified as Anthony D. McRae, 43. MSU Police say he had no affiliation with MSU. Police said during a press conference on Tuesday morning that a citizen tip led to the suspect's location shortly after surveillance photos and a description were publicized Monday night.
According to MSU Police, a note was found with the suspect - not threatening violence at Michigan State or anywhere else around Mid-Michigan, but at schools in New Jersey, near Ewing Township where the suspect had ties.
MSU Police said that there is no longer a threat to the Michigan State University community or adjacent areas, and lifted the shelter-in-place order shortly after midnight.
Police say McRae shot eight students, three of whom were killed, with another five victims currently being treated at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing - all of them are currently listed in critical condition. The three victims who were fatally shot have been identified:
- Arielle Anderson, a junior from Grosse Pointe
- Brian Fraser, a sophomore from Grosse Pointe
- Alexandria Verner, a junior from Clawson
Authorities said two of the fatalities occurred in Berkey Hall, and the other occurred in the MSU Union.
Multiple law enforcement agencies descended upon East Lansing to assist Michigan State University Police in investigating an active shooter situation on campus shortly before 8:30pm Monday.
Michigan State University students and staff were warned of the developing situation via an alert shortly after 8:30pm:
MSU Police report shots fired incident occurring on or near the East Lansing campus. Secure-in-Place immediately. Run, Hide, Fight. Run means evacuate away from danger if you can do so safely, Hide means to secure-in-place, and Fight means protect yourself if no other option. Monitor alert.msu.edu for information.
MSU Police and Public Safety reported shots fired near Berkey Hall on the college's East Lansing campus around 8:18pm. Another shooting was reported at the MSU Union less than an hour later.
S.W.A.T. teams canvassed the campus and surrounding areas looking for the suspect for several hours after the shooting. The suspect had last been seen fleeing the MSU Union on foot, and was described as a short Black male wearing red shoes, a jean jacket and a ball cap. Authorities released these photos of the suspect taken from video surveillance:
Several halls at the university were cleared and secured by 11pm Monday, including Brody Hall, Snyder/Phillips Hall, Mason Hall, Abbot Hall, Landon Hall, the MSU Union, and Berkey Hall according to MSU Police.
Students and staff on campus and residents in East Lansing were advised by police to shelter-in-place as the search ensued Monday. Several roads near the campus (including Grand River Avenue) were barricaded by police as well; many of these closures remained in place as of Tuesday morning.
Parents of MSU students were urged not to come to campus in an attempt to retrieve their children. Police said during a news conference that it would help their investigation to have as few extraneous people on campus as possible. After the imminent threat was deemed to be over, a reunification center was established for parents, students and others at the MSU Pavilion for several hours overnight.
Students had been being advised to text their parents rather than call, just in case they're hiding so their phones aren't going off. People nearby were advised to stay inside so they weren't mistaken for the shooter.
MSU Police and Public Safety initially advised that all campus activities and classes would be cancelled Tuesday and Wednesday. MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff said Tuesday that classes at MSU would be cancelled for the remainder of the week, but that most other campus operations would resume Thursday.
East Lansing's Hannah Community Center has been opened as a site for counseling and/or psychological resources for anyone affected in any way by the shooting.
As the investigation continues, several campus buildings will be closed as active crime scenes.
Wednesday's Michigan State/Minnesota basketball game has been cancelled.
All East Lansing Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday as well, along with schools in Lansing, Okemos, Haslett, Holt, Mason, Williamston, Webberville and Dansville among others - WILX News 10 is maintaining the full list of closures here.
President Joe Biden released a statement on the shooting at MSU, saying in part:
Jill and I are praying for the three students killed and the five students fighting for their lives after last night’s shooting at Michigan State University. Our hearts are with these young victims and their families, the broader East Lansing and Lansing communities, and all Americans across the country grieving as the result of gun violence.
Read the full text of the President's statement here.
MSU Police ask that anyone with any information that might assist investigators, please call 844-99-MSUPD or email tips@police.msu.edu.
This story will be updated as new information becomes available.