An MSU shooting video shows the chaotic scene unfolding at Michigan State University as an active shooter was at large, according to police dispatch audio. The suspect has been identified as Anthony McRae, a 43-year-old Lansing man.
In one video, which has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Twitter, people can be seen running as screams are heard. Multiple police officers are then seen running in the opposite direction. Be forewarned that the language in the video is graphic. You can watch the video later in this story.
According to scanner audio, a person matching the suspect’s description later shot himself as authorities approached him. A dispatcher said the shelter-in-place order was being lifted.
Moment when suspect was contacted by police and subsequently shot himself after a near 4 hour shooting spree at Michigan State.
“UPDATE: There are 3 confirmed fatalities. This is in addition to the 5 victims who have been transported to the hospital,” MSU Police and Public Safety tweeted.
Interim Deputy Chief Chris Rozman said in a news conference that there were shootings in two locations on campus involving a single suspect. The shootings started at 8:18 p.m. at Berkey Hall on campus, Rozman said. Next came reports of a shooting at the union, according to Rozman. Police received multiple 911 calls and responded with minutes, he said. He said five victims were taken to the hospital, but he did not release their conditions other than to say several suffered life-threatening wounds.
Rozman described the suspect as a Black male wearing red shoes, a jean jacket, and a ball cap.
Here’s what you need to know:
Scanner Audio Indicated That Multiple Victims Were Found in Two Classrooms
#BREAKING MSU Active Shooting:
– At least 1 dead, multiple injured, after shooting at Michigan State University campus in East Lansing
– Shooter is wearing a mask and is at large
– Multiple shooting scenes on campus
– FBI and ATF responding
The suspect’s motive is not clear. Scanner audio indicated that the shooter was initially at large and seen in the cafeteria after the shooting in Berkey Hall.
According to MSU Police and Public Safety, there were “shots fired near Berkey Hall on the East Lansing campus.” Police asked people to “secure-in-place immediately. Police are active on scene.”
The scanner audio painted a grim scene. Accessed through Broadcastify, it indicated that people were trying to escape through a window, were barricading themselves into rooms, and victims were discovered in at least two classrooms.
Initial scanner reports are sometimes conflicting or even wrong. They painted a very active scene in the hour after the shooting broke out.
Officials described the gunman to a dispatcher as “possibly a Black male wearing a mask carrying a handgun” who was “last seen on foot toward the union.”
A Second Video Captured the Massive Law Enforcement Response to the Scene
MSU Active Shooting Update:
– Multiple injuries after shooting at Michigan State University in East Lansing
– The State News reports 3 possible shooting locations on the campus
– Suspect is on foot and is not in custody
A second video captured the massive law enforcement response to the scene.
“Shooter’s in the hallway right now,” an officer said in the dispatch audio.
Police later wrote, “There is another reported shooting at IM East. Police are responding. There are multiple reported injuries. Media staging area is currently being determined.”
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.
“UPDATE: IM East is being secured. It appears there is only one suspect at this time,” police later wrote.
“Active shooting at Berkey Hall. Multiple victims at this time,” an officer told the dispatcher. One victim was shot in the head and wasn’t breathing, according to an officer on the audio.
An MSU alert shared on the university’s website read: “MSU Police report shots fired incident occurring on or near the East Lansing campus. Secure-in-Place immediately. Run, Hide, Fight. Run means evacuate away from danger if you can do so safely. Hide means to secure-in-place, and Fight means protect yourself if no other option.”
The alert was issued at 8:31 p.m. eastern time, the page says.
MSU’s page containing updated alerts can be found here.
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