New information provides some insight into Monday’s tragic mass shooting at Michigan State University. Police have identified the shooter as Anthony Dwayne McRae. He was found dead, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, approximately three hours after he indiscriminately opened fire at the East Lansing campus.
MSU Police Intern Deputy Chief Chris Rozman noted, “We have absolutely no idea what the motive was at this point,” but did report:
- McRae fired shots in two East Lansing campus buildings.
- The shooting rampage left three people dead and five seriously injured.
- Police found McRae’s body at approximately 11:35 pm and reported recovering a weapon at the scene.
- McRae, 43, was not a student, faculty, or staff member — he “had no affiliation with the university.”
- Police located the suspect after posting pictures of the suspect, and an area resident called a tipline.
- McRae had previously been arrested on weapons charges.
The New York Post noted that McRae pleaded guilty to weapons charges and was on probation from Oct. 2019 to May 2021. McRae’s legal record also notes four counts of driving on a suspended license.
The Daily Wire noted that following the shooting, police released photos of a black male suspect. Shortly after that, police were alerted to a possible match. When police confronted the man, “he reportedly shot himself. He died from his wound.”
Dr. Denny Martin provided an emotional medical update on the five shooting victims at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Breaking down, he shared that all five remain in critical condition.
Police and school officials have not released the names of the injured students.
Reportedly, McRae fired the first shots in the Berkey Hall academic building. Police report two deaths there.
Rozman noted that police responded quickly to calls for help: “There was an absolutely overwhelming police response” with “officers in that building within minutes,” he said.
As officers assisted the injured in Berkey Hall, they received reports of shots fired in the MSU Union building — a nearby campus dining hall. Police found a third body in that location.
One witness told the “Today” show that the gunman was silent as he burst through the classroom door and started shooting at the 20 or so students inside.
Witness Claire Papoulias recalled hearing “three or four gunshots directly behind” her. She quickly dropped to the floor. “At that moment, I thought I was gonna die,” she told NBC. “I was so scared,” she said.
While pinned down and unable to move to safety, Claire called her mom, Natalie Papoulias. Natalie told NBC that she “heard about three gunshots and screaming” in the background.
“It was my worst nightmare,” Natalie said, adding she rushed to her car to get to the campus.
Natalie shared that she is very thankful her daughter was not injured in the attack, saying, “I mean, I feel like she literally like dodged a bullet.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reported speaking with President Biden regarding the shooting, which she referred to as “a weekly American problem.”
“We are all broken by an all too familiar feeling,” she said in a statement, adding, “We cannot keep going on like this. Words are not good enough. We must act, and we will.”
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