Two people have been killed after string of shootings that began in a Rite Aid in Lansing, Michigan, reports Fox 17. The gunfire erupted at 11:06 a.m. The store is located less than four miles from Michigan State University.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. A Rite Aid Employee Was Shot in the Face
Lansing police confirm one dead in Rite Aid shooting near Frandor
— Josh Sidorowicz (@JoshWILX) May 12, 2014
The victim in the Rite Aid shooting died after being shot in the face. He was a 35-year-old employee at the store. According to Michigan reporter Ryan James Wardin, the suspect is a resident of East Lansing. The suspect is thought to be holed up at this home on 1802 Coolidge Ave in Lansing. Another resident of the complex, Adam Brown, told The Lansing State-Journal, that the suspect had a two-hour argument with someone on the night of May 11. At one point he heard the suspect shout, “Come over here and shoot me.”
1802 clear. Negotiators on scene to possibly talk to the father of the suspect? #Lansing
— Ryan James Wardin (@rjwardin) May 12, 2014
In a news release, police described the suspect as being a “black male with a shaved head, approximately 5-foot-8 tall.” Michigan Live says that he is believed to be 30 years old.
At Coolidge rd in East Lansing: waiting for more info from LPD @WLNS pic.twitter.com/8CdJMI5jGv
— Sharon Yoo (@SharonYooWLNS) May 12, 2014
2. There May Be a Connection to a Shooting Nearby
The suspect was thought to have been holed up at this home on 1802 Coolidge Road in East Lansing. (Google Street View)
There was another shooting in East Lansing that police believe might be connected. WWMT reports that the other shooting took place just a mile and a half away from the Rite Aid on Coolidge Road. At the Coolidge scene, .22 caliber shells were recovered, reports Michigan Live. The victim in the second shooting has also died, according to scanner traffic.
A victim was found in the backyard of a home near Coolidge and Woodbrook
— Ryan James Wardin (@rjwardin) May 12, 2014
3. The Shots Were Fired in a Consultation Room
BREAKING: police/emergency crews respond to Lansing rite aid. Talk of shooting-no police confirmation yet @Wlns pic.twitter.com/IFOHGwHtFN
— Joe Khalil (@WLNS_JoeKhalil) May 12, 2014
One witness told The Lansing State Journal that the shots were fired in consultation room in the pharmacy section of the store.
4. There Is a Massive Police Presence at the Rite Aid
Employee at Rite-Aid shot/killed, police currently looking for shooter black male 5'8- 5'10 all black clothes @WLNS pic.twitter.com/VByLHtUwyf
— Joe Khalil (@WLNS_JoeKhalil) May 12, 2014
Police have surrounded the building at the Frandor shopping area at East Saginaw Street. Michigan Live reports that due to closed off streets traffic is moving slowly around the area.
5. MSU Has Issued a ‘Shelter-in-Place’ Order
MSU ALERT, Two Shootings nearby campus: Frandor & Coolige Rd. If nearby secure-in-place immediately. Please advise others if you can.
— MSU (@michiganstateu) May 12, 2014
Michigan State University has sent out a warning to students regarding the attacks. Students there are advised to shelter-in-place. Two local elementary schools, Glencairn and Pinecrest were on lockdown as a result of the shooting. WZZM reports that two of MSU’s residence halls wereon full-lockdown. Just after 12:40 p.m., local police announced that the only places locked down were those around Coolidge Road.