EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A settlement has been reached between the families of the three students who were killed in a shooting at Michigan State University February 13, 2023.
What is the settlement?
Attorney Ven Johnson represents the families for two of the victims, Brian Fraser and Arielle Anderson, and confirmed that the $15 million settlement approved by the Board of Trustees recently will be split evenly between all three families according to the Detroit News.
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“Although no amount of money can ever mend the shattered hearts of these parents after suffering the unspeakable loss of their children, we appreciate how MSU has done the right thing under these horrible circumstances,” Johnson said. “Our clients remain steadfast in their call for ongoing reform to the safety measures utilized in MSU’s buildings, public buildings across Michigan and throughout the country.”
The settlement is not about blame, attorneys say.
A press conference with the parents and siblings of Alexandria Verner featured attorney David Femminineo. He explained the lawsuit was never about blaming MSU according to the Detroit News.
“Instead, the Verner family has sought answers as to how this could be prevented in the future,” Femminineo said.
In addition to killing these three students, the shooter critically injured five other Michigan Spartans.
MSU Trustee Dan Kelly also weighed in on the settlement and the intent behind it.
“While no amount of compensation can ever replace the loss of a life, we do hope this brings some closure, support, and relief to these impacted families,” MSU Trustee Dan Kelly said at Friday’s meeting. “The university gives its deepest condolences to each of the three families, and we are committed to ensuring the memory of their child is not forgotten in the Spartan community.”
How is MSU prioritizing safety?
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Kelly also shared that the school is prioritizing the memory of the victims and safety of the university community.
“The university also remains committed to enhancing safety on campus and providing mental health support to our community as we continue to heal,” Kelly said.
Berkey Hall is expected to open up again this spring semester at MSU, less than a year after the deadly shooting and has received backlash from students. The other location of the shooting, the student union, opened several weeks after the shooting.
“We also want to update the community on the renovations being made to Berkey Hall and what can be expected for those learning, teaching and working there next spring,” MSU said in a statement this October. “First, there will be no classes held in the rooms directly impacted by the violence of Feb.13. Conversations are continuing about those spaces moving forward, though there are no plans to hold classes there in the future.”
The school also shared that there will be new door locks installed in the building. For more information about the locks, see the Safety Tips page.
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