3 dead, 5 injured in shooting at Michigan State University

EAST LANSING, Mich. (TCD) — A 43-year-old man is believed to have opened fire at Michigan State University Monday night, killing three people and injuring five before taking his own life.

On Feb. 13, a little before 8:30 p.m., Michigan State University Police announced via social media and emergency alerts that shots had been fired near Berkey Hall on campus. The suspect was believed to have fled on foot, and students were ordered to shelter in place. Following that announcement, police said there was a second reported shooting at IM East with “multiple reported injuries.”

Michigan State University Police described the suspect as a Black male who was “shorter in stature” and wearing red shoes, a denim jacket, and navy baseball cap.

Late Monday night, police confirmed three people died and five others were being treated at Sparrow Hospital in critical condition.

According to a tweet, the suspect was located off-campus and died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shelter-in-place was lifted following that announcement.

Police confirmed Tuesday that all eight victims are Michigan State University students, and the shooter, Anthony Dwayne McRae, was not affiliated with the university.

In a press conference, Michigan State Police Deputy Chief Chris Rozman said McRae was found at a residence in Lansing. A tip reportedly led police to McRae’s location.

Berkey Hall, where the first shooting occurred, is an academic building.

Rozman said two of the deceased victims were found in Berkey Hall, and the third was located at the MSU Union building.

According to MLive.com, McRae was convicted in 2019 for possession of a loaded firearm and in 2006 for driving with a suspended license.

As the shelter-in-place remained active, students told media outlets about their harrowing experiences. According to The Associated Press, one student described on “Today” how classmates were helping each other climb through a window after shots went off in Berkey Hall.

She said, “There was a boy in my class, and he was waiting outside the window, and he was catching people and helping people down. As soon as I fell out of the window I kind of hit the ground a little. I just grabbed my backpack and my phone, and I remember I just ran for my life.”

Another told The Associated Press about how he saw someone with a “ton of blood on her.”

The student said, “Her hands were completely covered in blood. It was on her pants and her shoes. She said, ‘It’s my friend’s blood.'”

One student told The New York Times while the shelter-in-place remained active, “I covered the door with my roommate’s bed and I turned off the lights. I’m keeping myself hidden in the closet.”

Feb. 14, 2023, is the fifth anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people.

McRae’s motive remains unknown at this time.