EAST LANSING, Mich. – Three students were killed in a mass shooting at Michigan State University.
Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner were killed when a gunman opened fire on campus Monday night.
Five other students were critically injured. Police will not be publicly announcing the names of five students who are hospitalized.
Communities are coming together to remember the victims and offer support to their families, friends and loved ones. Memorials have been placed across the university’s campus to honor those impacted by the shootings.
“Grief is a profoundly personal thing, and we know the healing process will not be swift. We must take time to think, mourn and be together,” MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff said in a statement. “I encourage everyone to honor their feelings and find comfort and solace in the close bonds that knit together our Spartan family.”
Arielle Anderson
Arielle Anderson was a junior at Michigan State University and a graduate of Grosse Pointe North High School.
Her family said Anderson aspired to help others and was studying to become a surgeon.
Her family asked for privacy at this time, but did release the following statement:
“We lost our precious daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend, Arielle Anderson. She means the world to us. As much as we loved her, she loved us and others even more. She was passionate about helping her friends and family, assisting children and serving people.
“Driven by her aspiration to tend to the health and welfare of others as a surgeon, she was working diligently to graduate from Michigan State University early to achieve her goals as quickly as possible.
“As an Angel here on Earth, Arielle was sweet and loving with an infectious smile that was very contagious.
“We are absolutely devastated by this heinous act of violence upon her and many other innocent victims.
“While we appreciate the outpouring of the love, support, and prayers we have received thus far, we are grieving and hope that you respect our family’s wishes to remain private at this time.”
Brian Fraser
Brian Fraser was a sophomore at Michigan State University and a graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School.
He was the president of Michigan State’s chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which said in a statement that members were “heartbroken.”
"As the leader of his chapter, Brian was a great friend to his Phi Delt brothers, the Greek community at Michigan State, and those he interacted with on campus. Phi Delta Theta sends its deepest condolences to the Fraser family, the Michigan Beta Chapter, and all those who loved Brian as they mourn their loss.
“Phi Delta Theta is in close communication with the leadership of the Michigan Beta Chapter to support them during this trying time. The Fraternity is working with Michigan State University to connect the chapter with local campus services and opportunities to appropriately celebrate Brian’s life.”
Fraser was also known in the St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church community in Grosse Pointe Farms. Hundreds of people gathered at the church on Tuesday to remember Fraser.
The church released the following statement:
“Our St. Paul community tragically lost someone special and far too soon last night. Brian Fraser, class of 2017, is loved by everyone here and exemplified ‘The St. Paul Difference.’ In his time here which began in Young 5′s, his light shined bright with love, leadership and kindness in the classroom, athletics and within the St. Paul community. In an essay he wrote in eighth grade, Brian ended with this: ‘Even though my friends and I are going our different ways, I will never forget them and the memories we shared at St. Paul.’ Please keep Sean, Mia, Micaela and the entire Fraser family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Alexandria Verner
Alexandria Verner was a junior at Michigan State University and a graduate of Clawson High School.
Verner was studying integrated biology and anthropology, according to her LinkedIn profile.
“Alex was and is incredibly loved by everyone. She was a tremendous student, athlete, leader and exemplified kindness every day of her life! Her parents, Ted and Nancy, and her sister Charlotte and brother TJ are equally grieving but are certainly already feeling the uplifting support of this tremendous community,” Clawson Public Schools superintendent Billy Shellenbarger said in a statement. “She started at Baker Preschool, moved on to Schalm Elementary School and finished at Clawson Middle and High School. If you knew her, you loved her and we will remember the lasting impact she has had on all of us.”
Hundreds of mourners filled the school’s football field Tuesday night to pay their respects. Verner wore jersey No. 24 when she played basketball at Clawson High, so mourners held a 24-second moment of silence.
“While you are silent,” Shellenbarger said over the public-address system, “think about her smile, think about that hero that was among us for 20 years.”
Verner was also known in the Guardian Angels Catholic Church community. The church released a statement, which reads, in part, “It with heavy hearts that we share with you the tragic loss of Alexandria Verner last night. The daughter of parishioners Ted and Nancy Verner, Alex was a 2020 graduate of Clawson High School and junior at Michigan State University. She was a bright student and leader, tremendous athlete, and kind friend.”