Updated Tuesday at 1:14 a.m.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A gunman opened fire Monday night at Michigan State University, killing three people and wounding five more, before fatally shooting himself miles away after an hours-long manhunt that forced frightened students to hide in the dark.
Police announced the man’s death early Tuesday, four hours after shootings broke out at Berkey Hall, an academic building, and later nearby at the MSU Union, a popular hub to eat or study.
“This truly has been a nightmare we’re living tonight,” said Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department.
Hundreds of officers had scoured the East Lansing campus, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Detroit, for the suspect, whom police described as a short Black man with red shoes, a jean jacket and a ball cap.
The 43-year-old man was confronted by police off campus before killing himself with a “self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Rozman said.
His name was not immediately released, but Rozman said he was not a student or employee and had no affiliation with Michigan State.
“We have no idea why he came to campus to do this tonight. That is part of our ongoing investigation,” the deputy chief said.
The shooting at Michigan State is the latest in what has become a deadly new year in the U.S. Dozens of people have died in mass shootings so far in 2023, most notably in California where 11 people were killed as they welcomed the Lunar New Year at a dance hall popular with older Asian Americans.
In 2022, there were more than 600 mass shootings in the U.S. in which at least four people were killed or injured, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Two people were killed at Berkey and another was killed at the MSU Union, Rozman said.
He said five people were in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital.
By 10:15 p.m., police said Berkey, as well as nearby residence halls, were secured.
Ted Zimbo said he was walking to his residence hall when he encountered a woman with a “ton of blood on her.”
“She told me, ‘Someone came in our classroom and started shooting,’” Zimbo told The Associated Press. “Her hands were completely covered in blood. It was on her pants and her shoes. She said, ‘It’s my friend’s blood.’”
Zimbo said the woman left to find a friend’s car while he returned to his SUV in a parking deck and threw a blanket over himself to hide for three hours.
Before the gunman was found dead, WDIV-TV meteorologist Kim Adams, whose daughter attends Michigan State, told viewers that students were worn down by the hourslong saga.
“They’ve been hiding, all the lights off in a dark room,” Adams said. “Their cellphones are starting to lose battery charge.”
Aedan Kelley, a junior who lives a half-mile (less than a kilometer) east of campus, said he locked his doors and covered his windows “just in case.” Sirens were constant, he said, and a helicopter hovered overhead.
“It’s all very frightening,” Kelley said. “And then I have all these people texting me wondering if I’m OK, which is overwhelming.”
Michigan State has about 50,000 students. All campus activities were canceled for 48 hours, including sports and classes.
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Kusmer reported from Indianapolis. AP reporters Ed White and Corey Williams in Detroit contributed to this story.
Updated Monday at 10:47 p.m.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Police say three people have been killed in shootings at Michigan State University.
The deaths are in addition to five people who were injured in the Monday night shootings, campus police said.
Meanwhile, the search for the gunman continued. He’s described as a short man with red shoes, a jean jacket and ball cap.
The shootings began shortly before 8:30 p.m. at Berkey Hall, an academic building, and also ocurred nearby at the student union, a popular gathering spot, said Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department.
AP’s earlier story follows below.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — At least five people were shot Monday night at Michigan State University, some suffering life-threatening injuries, leading hundreds of officers to sweep the campus in search of the gunman, who remained at large, police said.
Students were ordered to shelter in place for hours at the East Lansing campus, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.
The shootings began shortly before 8:30 p.m. at Berkey Hall, an academic building, and also ocurred nearby at the student union, a popular gathering spot, said Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department.
He described the suspect as a short man with red shoes, a jean jacket and ball cap.
Rozman said hundreds of officers from different agencies were on campus. He urged parents to stay away.
“I can only imagine the emotion that’s involved right now. … We are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our campus and all of our students,” Rozman said.
The five victims were taken to Sparrow Hospital, said hospital spokesperson John Foren, who had no information on their conditions.
By 10:15 p.m., police said Berkey, as well as nearby residence halls, were secured.
Separately, police on Twitter reported a shooting at IM East, a recreational center for students. But Rozman didn’t mention it during a news briefing and said there had been false reports of additional shootings.
Aedan Kelley, a junior who lives a half-mile (less than a kilometer) east of campus, said he locked his doors and covered his windows “just in case.” Sirens were constant, he said, and a helicopter hovered overhead.
“It’s all very frightening,” Kelley said. “And then I have all these people texting me wondering if I’m OK, which is overwhelming.”
Michigan State has about 50,000 students. All campus activities were canceled for 48 hours, including athletics and classes.
The East Lansing High School auditorium, where a school board meeting was being held Monday night, was locked down and people were being prevented by police from leaving, the Lansing State Journal reported.
MSU ALERT: There have been shots fired near Berkey Hall on the East Lansing campus. Please secure-in-place immediately. Police are active on scene. More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/xa4KlwXJWN
— MSU Police and Public Safety (@msupolice) February 14, 2023
From @michiganstateu police:
Incident started at 8:18pm at Berkey Hall. Several victims found there. 2nd shooting scene at MSU Union. 5 confirmed victims at 11pm ET. Some have life threatening injuries. Believed to be 1 suspect. Still at large. pic.twitter.com/5u2H2HT1iN— Reg News (@RNewsWILL) February 14, 2023
