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Police release details on MSU mass shootings; lawmakers make statements

12:30 p.m. UPDATE:

Police have identified two of the three Michigan State University students who were killed in last night's shooting spree on campus. M-S-U Police say the fatal victims were sophomore Brian Fraser of Grosse Pointe and Alexandria Verner, a junior from Clawson. The third student killed, also from Grosse Poine, has not been named yet.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Police say the gunman in last night's mass shooting at Michigan State University had no known connection to the university.

The name of the 43-year-old suspect, Anthony McRae, was released this morning. The Detroit News reports McRae was a convicted felon who was sentenced to 18 months in state prison in November 2019 after being convicted of possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Jim Tarasca is the Special Agent-in-Charge for the FBI in Michigan. He spoke at a news conference this morning.

"Last night when this occurred, many agencies arrived on the scene," he said. "The FBI deployed agents, analysts and specialty teams to help an effort to help the victims, and also find the individual responsible."

M-S-U Deputy Police Chief Chris Rozman says the names of more victims will be released after the families are contacted.

"We do have three total deceased and five victims at the hospital," Rozman said. "We can confirm that all three deceased were MSU students. We can also confirm at this time that all five of the injured victims at the hospital were also MSU students."

Governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke at this morning's news conference about the stress last night with an active shooter on campus.

"Parents across Michigan were on pins and needles, calling their kids to tell them that they love them," Whitmer said. "As parents, we tell our kids it's going to be okay. We say that all the time. But the truth is, words are not good enough. We must act, and we will. And today, let's hold the MSU and East Lansing communities close."

Michigan's U.S. senators issued written statements today. Democrat Debbie Stabenow said:

“Once again, gun violence has touched a Michigan community.

“I am grieving for my fellow Spartans today – for the lives lost, the injured, and all of the students, parents, MSU employees, and local residents who will be living with fear for a long time to come. I am grateful too for the first responders who put their own lives on the line to keep people safe.

“Spartans are strong and resilient – I know that the university and community will come together and get through this. I’m so incredibly sad and angry that they have to.”

Senator Gary Peters said in a written statement:

“Colleen and I are heartbroken by the horrific shooting at Michigan State University. We’re grieving for those who lost loved ones in this nightmare and are praying for those who were injured. We’re thinking of the students, parents, staff, Spartan community — and all impacted by this tragedy. I’m also thankful to the law enforcement and first responders who rushed to the scene.”

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten issued the following statement concerning the shootings:

“Last night’s shootings on the campus of Michigan State University were senseless, tragic, and horrible. Thousands of students and their loved ones endured a terror that no one should ever, ever experience. As a former MSU law professor and fellow Michigander, my heart goes out to the Spartan community and especially to the families of the students killed or injured. I’m grateful for the hundreds of first responders who turned out last night and bravely did their work. And my office and I stand ready to assist in any way we can."

State Senator Mark Huizenga, R-Walker, issued the following statement:

“As a parent, your greatest fear is losing one of your children. I am heartbroken for the victims of this senseless act of violence, and my thoughts are with their families and friends during this time of unimaginable grief. We need to work together on effective solutions to end this violence in our communities and especially at our schools.

“My office has two interns, Spencer and Henry, who are current MSU students. I am thankful to announce that they are safe, yet I ask for people to pray for them, the MSU community, and the broader East Lansing community as they immediately face the loss of innocent lives and begin to deal with the long-term mental impact of this traumatic event.

Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, issued this written statement:

“As a parent, you shutter at the very possibility of having to endure the distinct fear, pain, and helplessness that the Spartan community experienced last night. Unfortunately, these unimaginable and irrational acts of evil have become more commonplace in our society, leaving parents and community leaders desperately searching for ways to prevent these senseless attacks on the innocent. It is my hope that we can come together to find and develop solutions to keep our loved ones safe. My heart breaks for the victims and their families, and I pray they find comfort in the loving embrace of their family and friends.”

State Rep. Angela Rigas of Caledonia released the following statement: 

“Unlike some of my Democrat colleagues who would like us to turn away from faith during this trying time, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the tragic shooting at Michigan State University because it’s the decent and human thing to do.  

“I’m angry and disgusted at this violence in our state. My anger also lies with our state’s heartless elected officials who are already trying to take full advantage of this tragedy. Even as this nightmare was unfolding last night, some politicians only saw it as an opportunity to make a pitch for so-called “gun control” measures. This type of callousness has no place in our society, and neither does the violence that has exploded in our state and country.

“These types of laws never work due to the simple fact that criminals tend not to follow the law. Law-abiding gun owners are negatively impacted though. For example, students and staff are not allowed to possess or use any firearm on MSU’s campus. Those students in Berkey Hall and the Union were unable to defend themselves when the suspect opened fire.  

“We must have a thoughtful discussion on how to stop violence in our state and nation, but eroding our Second Amendment rights is not the answer. The craven opportunists need to stop looking at these tragedies as a means to an end and have a real discussion about why we’re seeing such senseless violence. I believe it’s a discussion many of my colleagues would rather not have.” 

State Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-Grand Rapids) issued the following statement :

“Michiganders are mourning the lost lives of three of our young people, murdered on the campus of Michigan State University. My deepest condolences go out to the parents, friends and loved ones of the souls taken from us in the prime of their lives. My heart goes out to the survivors and the entire MSU community.

“Last night, students fled in terror from gunshots and saw classmates murdered in places where they should have been able to study and meet with their friends in peace. In Michigan and across the country, worried parents made desperate calls, searched for phone locations and prayed for their children. Some of those parents never received a call or text back. Their children are dead.

“We do not need to live like this. We should not have to fear for our lives when we are in schools, places of worship, workplaces, stores, at parades or on campuses. We should not have to wonder if today will be the day a massacre like this strikes our community.

“For too long, we have largely ignored the main cause of the gun violence crisis in America. We have done something ranging from prudent to ineffective. We have improved our mental health systems. We have implemented traumatizing active-shooter drills. We have created a marketplace for bulletproof backpacks for elementary students. We have built largely cosmetic systems to ‘harden’ our schools. The time has come to deal with what we all know is true — we cannot deal with the gun violence crisis in America without passing real, common-sense gun reform, immediately.

“Since the beginning of my campaign for office, I have supported reforms such as requiring universal background checks, safe storage laws, passing extreme risk protection order laws, prohibiting large-capacity magazines, limiting the open carrying of assault weapons in public, and renewing the prohibition on the manufacture, sale, and transfer of assault rifles. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature, the governor, law enforcement and all other stakeholders to help build a safer Michigan. I can’t promise that we are going to fix this. But, I do believe that if we break the chokehold of the gun lobby on our politics, we can find ways to lessen the number of future murders and save lives.

“I want to thank our law enforcement officers who worked to secure the campus and protect the community, as well as other first responders and medical professionals who are working to save the lives of those wounded.

“I am praying for those fighting for their lives in the hospital at this moment, and for those who grieve the loss of their loved ones and friends.”

State Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) issued the following statement:

“Today, my heart aches with the entire Michigan State community. That campus, that university, is such a special place to me and to so many across our state, and maybe most importantly, it is ‘home’ for students. But, yesterday, this special place was turned into a place of mass violence.

“Thank you to the law enforcement officers and first responders who came from all over Ingham County and the region to support and care for students and faculty.

“We have work to do, work that is overdue and has long been ignored. Better legislation, better resources, a better strategy — all things that can contribute to reducing and eliminating gun violence, especially in places of learning.”

State Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) issued the following statement:

“After yet another tragedy at the hands of gun violence, it is once again painfully clear that we cannot, and will not, wait any longer to take action.

“Generations of children have grown up in fear. The fear of guns threatening them in their schools, malls, community hubs, or the streets and sidewalks in between. The fear that a simple disagreement could lead to death is one that many children live with. Children should not be raised to identify exits every time they enter a building. This is not normal, and we don't have to live this way.

“The debate over whether the blame is with people or guns is worn. What we know for certain is that what we are currently doing is simply not working, and blame is not a path towards solutions. Three students are dead. Five are in critical care. An entire state is traumatized. If our goal as a state and a country is to protect our own and uphold safety, can there be any clearer indication that we have failed?

“Less than a month ago, I stood with activists and leaders to call for action on gun reform and spoke with students who have experienced this true threat in their lives. One experience like this is one too many, and now there are thousands of MSU students who are contending with the fact that, despite our ideals, they are not safe.

“I was 12 years old when Columbine happened. Every shooting since has made an indelible mark on me, both as a student, and a mother. Now it makes a mark on me as a state representative, one with a majority of colleagues behind them who believe that it is finally time for action. It is time to strengthen background checks, it is time to ban assault weapons, and it is time to take guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to others or themselves. Last November, Michigan residents spoke clearly in favor of a party that would be willing to take action on gun reform, and it is our duty to live up to those expectations.”

### [Screen capture from MSU Police & Public Safety]

 


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