EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As investigators continue to seek a motive for the MSU shooting, some new details regarding the victims and gunman have come to light.
The first victim of the shooting has been identified as Alexandria Verner, a 2020 Clawson High School graduate after Clawson Schools Superintendent Billy Shellenbarger confirmed her passing. MSU police also confirmed the second victim as Brian Fraser, a sophomore from Grosse Pointe.
MORE NEWS: A New Day: Michigan House Republicans Select New Leader
“With respect to the family’s wishes, we will not be releasing the third victim’s name at this time,” MSU police said in a statement. “We sincerely ask the media and community members to respect the families’ privacy.”
Sparrow Hospital has still not given an update since 8 am this morning when Dr. Denny Martin, Chief Medical Officer E.W. Sparrow Hospital, spoke at a press conference.
“Everyone is in critical condition at this time, but actively being cared for by our team at Sparrow,” Martin said.
The deceased shooter, identified as Anthony Dwayne McRae of Lansing, began shooting at students of MSU and those in Berkey Hall just after 8:15 last night. Numerous 9/11 calls prompted law enforcement intervention from across the state including the MSU Campus Police, Michigan State Police, officers from Ingham County, and Meridian Township according to Interim Deputy Chief Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety Christ Rozman.
While law enforcement did not clarify the type or number of firearms used in the shooting, the suspect was found dead due to an apparent self-inflicted fatal gunshot wound. An alert from the East Lansing Public Safety at 12:34 am Tuesday told community members that the shelter in place order had been lifted and revealed that the suspect was found dead.
Court records given to the Detroit News from Ingham County reveal that McRae has a history of firearm abuses including carrying a concealed pistol without a concealed carry permit in June 2019, the initial charge was a felony which carried a potential penalty of five years in prison. Later that fall, a second charge was added against McRae: possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle – a misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge, and the felony charge was dismissed. McRae was sentenced to 12 months probation, with an additional six months in October of 2020, and his probation concluded in May 2021.
MORE NEWS: Schoolcraft Native Simkins Earns Third MAC Defensive Player of the Week Award for WMU
MSU Police also reminded individuals of the support they can seek including talking with friends, family and colleagues to process the events of last night. Some of the resources are listed below:
- Student Health Services
- General info: 517-884-6526; Nurse on-call: 517-353-9165
- Employee Assistance Program
- EAP is a confidential, free counseling service for employees: 517-432-0155
- Counseling & Psychiatry Services
- CAPS is the place for students seeking help for a wide range of health concerns.
The MSU Police released a statement updating members of the public that there would not be another media briefing today, but that the next briefing would take place later this week.
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.