Three students were killed and five others were injured when a gunman opened fire at Michigan State University’s campus on Monday night. The Michigan State shooting occurred at an academic building and the student union, according to authorities.
A manhunt that lasted several hours resulted in police finding the suspect, 43-year-old Anthony McRae, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound just off-campus.
As of Tuesday morning, all five students who were injured remain in critical condition.
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The head of Sparrow Hospital, Dr. Denny Martin, broke down in tears when describing the treatment and status of the five victims who were injured in the Michigan State shooting. During his remarks at the Feb. 14 press conference, Dr. Martin emotionally paused when he noted all the messages from hospital staff wanting to help the emergency response team.
“So many people that just came in,” he said, getting choked up. “We received a lot of texts that were just ‘I’m on my way.’ People showing up ready to help.”
“The team in our Level One trauma center with our emergency medical physicians and trauma surgeons were waiting for them upon their arrival,” he continued. “I will give a lot of thanks to the individuals and first responders on the scene. Our ability to care for these individuals starts in the field.”
Fifteen years ago, a gunman at Northern Illinois University killed six and wounded 21.
Five years ago, a gunman at a Parkland high school killed 17 and wounded 17.
Now a mass shooting at Michigan State University.
This can’t continue.
Bill Pugliano, Getty; Al Goldis, AP pic.twitter.com/YmsqRvBk1T
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) February 14, 2023
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An alert was sent at 8:31 p.m. Monday, telling students to “run, hide, fight” along with a report of shots fired at Berkey Hall and at the MSU Union. Students were told to shelter in place as authorities searched for the gunman.
Interim MSU President Teresa Woodruff said: “We are devastated at the loss of life. Our campus grieves, we will all grieve. We will change over time. We cannot allow this to continue to happen again.”
The school has moved to emergency operations for two days, she said, to allow students, staff and faculty “to think, grieve and be together” after a “day of shock and heartbreak.”