3 Dead, 5 Injured in Michigan State University Shooting, Suspect Found Dead

Police and emergency vehicles are on the scene of an active shooter situation on the campus of Michigan State University in Lansing, Mich., on Feb. 13, 2023. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Three are dead and five injured, some with life-threatening conditions, after two separate shootings by the same suspect on campus at Michigan State University (MSU) Monday night.

MSU Police and Public Safety Deputy Chief Chris Rozman said in an update shortly after midnight that the suspect was found dead off-campus from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“This truly has been a nightmare that we are living tonight, but we have remained laser-focused on the safety of our campus, our students, and our surrounding community,” Rozman said. “We are relieved to no longer have an active threat on campus, while we realize that there is so much healing that will need to take place after this.”

The shelter-in-place alert that was issued earlier in the evening was lifted after the suspect’s death. “There is no longer a threat on campus,” Rozman added.

MSU police earlier confirmed that three people were dead and five others were taken to Sparrow Hospital, some with life-threatening injuries. Two of the fatal shootings occurred in Berkey Hall and the third fatal shooting occurred nearby in the MSU Union building, according to Rozman.

Calls to 911 began around 8:18 p.m. with reports of a shooting inside Berkey Hall, according to MSU police.

Rozman told reporters around 11 p.m. that responding officers arrived on the scene within minutes, finding five injured people. The suspect had moved to the nearby MSU Union hall and continued shooting.

The suspect was described as a “short male with a mask, possibly Black,” and was last seen leaving on foot on the north side of the MSU Union building. Police confirmed after midnight that the person identified in the surveillance image released earlier was the suspect.

Image of Michigan State University shooting suspect released by MSU Police. Courtesy of MSU Police

Alerts

Following the shootings, students were encouraged to remain sheltered in place, and concerned families asked not to come to the campus, while police hunted for the suspect.

University officials issued alerts saying that shots had been fired near Berkey Hall and another at IM East. Students were advised to “secure in place” and follow the “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol.

Run means evacuating away from danger if it can be done safely, hide means to secure in place, and fight means protecting yourself if no other option, according to school officials.

“MSU Police report shots fired incident occurring on or near the East Lansing campus. Secure-in-Place immediately,” MSU officials said in an alert at around 8:30 p.m. local time.

The MSU police indicated that the suspect is believed to be on foot, and residents are asked to avoid the area.

“We are still receiving multiple calls of an active shooter on campus,” MSU officials said at the time.

Several campus buildings were cleared and secured just after 10 p.m., according to police, including Brody Hall, Snyder/Phillips Hall, Mason Hall, Abbot Hall, Landon Hall, the MSU Union, and Berkey Hall.

The East Lansing Police Department urged residents of the broader community to immediately shelter in place while the shooter was at large.