The man suspected of gunning down three people on the Michigan State University campus Monday night and wounding several others is dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police say the body of the 43-year-old suspect, identified as Anthony McRae, was located off campus and a campus wide shelter-in-place order was lifted shortly after midnight Tuesday.
Police say McRae has no known connection to the university and there is no known motive as to why he came on campus and opened fire. McRae had a previous conviction of possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle in November 2019 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He was released from supervision in May 2021.
MSU police have confirmed three individuals were killed while five other victims were taken to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing and remained in critical condition.
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing), whose 7th District represents the East Lansing campus, said the agony people were feeling about the shooting was hard to describe.
“Our hearts are breaking for the families of the students who were killed, for those who have been injured, and for the entire Spartan community,” Slotkin tweeted. “I’m deeply grateful to the hundreds of law enforcement and first responders who have rushed to East Lansing and put themselves in danger to save lives. I spent the evening in the ELPD and saw firsthand their critical work in complicated circumstances. The Spartan family is strong, and as devastating as tonight has been, I know that Michiganders and Americans of all stripes are wrapping their arms around East Lansing and our Spartans to mourn alongside us and to lift us up.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement early Tuesday morning saying the current state of affairs is not acceptable.
“Certain places are supposed to be about community, learning, or joy—elementary schools and college campuses, movie theaters and dance halls, grocery stores and workplaces. They should not be the sites of bloodshed,” said Whitmer. “This is a uniquely American problem. Too many of us scan rooms for exits when we enter them. We plan who that last text or call would go to. We should not, we cannot, accept living like this.”
MSU has canceled classes for Tuesday and Wednesday.
