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Timeline of Michigan State University shootings, search for suspect

Shooter dies after 3 hourslong manhunt

Police investigate the scene of a shooting at Berkey Hall on the campus of Michigan State University, late Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) (Al Goldis, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Three Michigan State University students are dead and five others are hospitalized after a mass shooting on campus.

Police said a 43-year-old man with no known associations with Michigan State University opened fire in at least two on-campus buildings on Monday, Feb. 13.

Hundreds of police officers from across the state responded to the scene to help with a manhunt that lasted around three hours. The suspected shooter was located in Lansing and had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.

Below is a timeline that details everything we know that happened between when the shots were first reported to police until now.

Read: Police: Those killed, hurt in Michigan State University shooting were students

Here is a timeline with everything we’ve learned about the MSU mass shooting

8:18 p.m. Monday

Dispatchers receive the first calls reporting shots fired at Berkey Hall, an academic building on the northern part of campus that borders Downtown East Lansing.

There is an “overwhelming” law enforcement response and officers were in the building within minutes, police say. When officers arrive they encounter several students who were injured. Two students shot in Berkey Hall had died.

While officers are managing the scene at Berkey Hall, they begin receiving reports of shots fired at the MSU Union Building, which is just west of Berkey Hall. Officers locate one deceased victim at the MSU Union building.

8:31 p.m. Monday

The first alert goes out to MSU students telling them to run, hide and fight where necessary.

The alert reads:

“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.”

An overhead view of part of the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing. (WDIV)

10:04 p.m. Monday

A second alert goes out to students confirming that an active shooter is on campus. They are told to secure in place, turn their cellphones off and remain quiet. Run, hide, fight where necessary. They also released a short description of the suspect.

The alert reads:

“A person is actively shooting at the East Lansing campus. This is an active and ongoing situation. Follow the Run, Hide and Fight guidelines. Secure in place; turn cell phones to silent; remain quite. Suspect description: short male with mask, possibly black male. Contact Michigan State University Police to report any unusual or suspicious activity. Additional information to follow.”

10:54 p.m. Monday

An additional alert goes out to students reminding them to continue sheltering in place. Dispatchers are fielding 911 calls from all across campus with reports of people hearing gunshots or seeing someone with a weapon, this continues until the suspected shooter is dead. The only locations with confirmed shootings as of Tuesday morning are Berkey Hall and the MSU Union building.

This alert reads:

“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. Monitor alert.msu.edu for information.”

11 p.m. Monday

Police hold their first news conference to address the shootings. Interim Deputy Chief Chris Rozman of Michigan State University Police and Public Safety provides details on where the two shootings happened and said photos of the suspect will be released soon after.

A description of what the suspected shooter was wearing is provided. Rozman says there have been false reports of multiple shooters and sightings and people need to listen to the information police are sharing.

Campus activities are canceled for at least the next 48 hours.

11:18 p.m. Monday

Police release a description and two photos of the suspect on social media. Police say the suspect was last seen leaving the MSU Union building on foot, on the north side of the building.

11:33 p.m. Monday

An alert is sent out to students with the latest description of the suspected shooter.

The alert reads:

“A person is actively shooting at the East Lansing campus. Follow the Run, Hide and Fight guidelines. Secure in place; turn cell phones to silent; remain quite. Suspect description: short black male, red shoes, jean jacket, ball cap. Contact Michigan State University Police to report any unusual or suspicious activity. Additional information to follow.”

11:35 p.m. Monday

A person calls 911 to report seeing someone matching the description of the suspect in Lansing. Officers who were actively searching for the suspect located him. The suspect dies from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

12:13 a.m. Tuesday

Police identify two of the three deceased victims.

12:20 a.m. Tuesday

Police hold another news conference where they confirm the suspected shooter is dead.

12:27 a.m. Tuesday

An alert is sent out to students letting them know that the suspect has been located. The shelter-in-place order is lifted.

This alert reads:

“An individual matching the suspect description has been located. There is no longer believed to be an imminent threat to campus. The shelter-in-place order is lifted. Contact Michigan State University Police to report any unusual or suspicious activity.”

1:07 a.m. Tuesday

Another alert is sent out to students providing information on bus routes and the location of a reunification center.

This alert reads:

“There is no longer believed to be an imminent threat to campus. The shelter-in-place order is lifted. CATA will resume the 30 routes shortly. There will be an additional bus in service with a drop off point of the reunification center (MSU Pavilion @ 4301 Farm Lane) for parents and others coming to campus.”

1:30 a.m. Tuesday

Officials hold another news conference where they provide the latest information on the investigation and support resources for those impacted by the shootings. Police confirm three people are dead and five others are hospitalized in critical condition.

8 a.m. Tuesday

Police hold a news conference Tuesday morning where they officially identify the suspected shooter as 43-year-old Anthony Dwayne McRae.

Police say the suspected shooter has no known affiliation with Michigan State University. Police confirm all eight victims are students at the university and they expect to release their identities to the public after families have been notified.

Police also confirm they searched a home as part of this investigation, but provide very few details regarding the search.


About the Author
Kayla Clarke headshot

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

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