New details revealed in deadly MSU campus shooting

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - The Michigan Department of Police and Public Safety provided an update Thursday morning on the investigation into Monday’s shooting.

The full press conference can be watched in the video player above.

Related: Timeline of events in Michigan State University shooting

Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner and Arielle Anderson, all undergraduate students at Michigan State University, were killed and five other students were hospitalized in critical condition. One victim is recovering, authorities said.

The shooting started just after 8 p.m. at Berkey Hall, where two people died. Another person was killed at the Student Union building shortly after.

MSU police have joined forces with the FBI to try to find a motive behind the shooting attack.

Check your cameras: Police, FBI seeks video evidence in MSU shooting suspect’s route

The FBI is asking for people to submit any photo or video evidence from the night of the shooting. To send a tip, visit the FBI website or call the hotline at 1-800-225-5324.

Berkey Hall closed for the semester

MSU interim president announced all classes will be suspended in Berkey Hall for the rest of the semester. The building will remain off-limits until at least May as the university leadership team considers when to reopen the area.

The MSU Union and Berkey Hall are still cordoned off with police tape as memorials for the victims continue to grow. The FBI reported that 18 individuals have not yet retrieved their belongings from the area. Any items not claimed will be transferred to MSU police.

Suspect had guns purchased legally, but not registered

Anthony McRae, 43, the suspect in the shooting, reportedly killed himself on Monday night after the shooting. Police said they found McRae with two handguns and ammunition, which he purchased legally, but not registered.

According to police, McRae was the lone shooter and had no connection to the victims or to Michigan State as a student or employee.

McRae was arrested for carrying a gun without a permit in 2019 and received a misdemeanor and a year’s probation. His probation ended in 2021, and since he was not convicted of a felony, he was allowed to own a gun. Lansing police said that the gun connected to the 2019 charge is still in police custody.

Possible motive found in note left by suspect

The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, but a note reportedly found on McRae after he shot himself suggests that he may have been motivated by feeling slighted by someone or something.

Police said the note listed several businesses in the Lansing area, a church and a school district in New Jersey. However, investigators have ruled out some information in the note as not being real.

MSU Police Deputy Chief Chris Rozman said they are still trying to determine an exact motive behind the shooting, but the note was a key point.

“It appears based on the content of the note that he felt he was slighted in some way by people or businesses,” Rozman said. “Did a mental health issue amplify that or was it a component of that? We’re not sure at this point. We’re working our best to try to determine that as best as possible.”

The investigation is ongoing. Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosbee said he is waiting to get approval from the state police and FBI before releasing the body camera footage from when officers found McRae on Lake Lansing Road.

Spartan Strong

Michigan State University’s Spartan Strong Fund will be used to address the needs of the school’s students, including campus safety and mental health services.

You can donate to the Spartan Strong Fund here.

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