EAST LANSING, Mich. — At least three people are dead and five others are injured after a gunman opened fire at Michigan State University Monday night, leading hundreds of police officers to sweep the campus in search of the suspect, who remained at large, police said.
Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department, said authorities received multiple calls of a shooting around 8:18 p.m. at Berkey Hall on the East Lansing campus. Police then immediately responded to a second shooting in “close proximity” to the Michigan State University Union.
“We tended to the victims at both of those scenes, and there was an overwhelming law enforcement response to campus,” Rozman said.
Michigan State University police confirmed three fatalities in addition to the five victims who were transported to the E.W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Multiple locations on the campus were cleared and secured as of 10:18 p.m., according to university police. The areas included Brody Hall, Snyder/Phillips Hall, Mason Hall, Abbot Hall, Landon Hall, the MSU Union, and Berkey Hall.
The suspect remains at large and was described as a short man with a jean jacket and ball cap, said Rozman. Authorities urged students and staff to continue sheltering in place.
Rozman said the suspect was last seen leaving the Michigan State University Union building “on foot on the north side of that building.” He urged people to not come to the campus and said all campus activities will be canceled for the next 48 hours.
A line of 10 ambulances was waiting outside the Broad Art Museum.
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Students react to shooting: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been this scared’
Ben Finkelstein, a senior, said he was sheltering in place in his room.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this scared,” he said. “I’ve been listening to the police scanner for an hour.”
Finkelstein said he was hiding under a pile of dirty laundry in his first-floor room. He closed all of his blinds and turned off his lights.
“It’s far too late for this to be called a wake-up call,” he said. “The sad truth is I doubt we’re going to be the last. Other than that, I’m praying for everybody.”
Aedan Kelley, a junior who lives a half-mile 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.”
Gov. Whitmer, ATF briefed on shooting
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday that she was briefed on the shooting.
“The Michigan State Police along with Michigan State University Police, local law enforcement, and first responders are on the ground,” Whitmer said on Twitter. “Let’s wrap our arms around the Spartan Community tonight. We will keep everyone updated as we learn more.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Detroit division also said it was responding “to an active shooter” at the school.
Michigan State has about 50,000 students. East Lansing is about 90 miles northwest of Detroit.
The East Lansing High School auditorium, where a school board meeting was being held Monday night, was locked down and people were prevented by school officials from leaving for a time. East Lansing Public Schools later canceled classes Tuesday.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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