What we know so far about the Michigan State University mass shooting

EAST LANSING, MI — MSU Deputy Police Chief Chris Rozman was blunt when he talked about the Michigan State University mass shooting that killed three and injured five.

“This truly has been a nightmare that we are living tonight,” Rozman said in talking with media late Monday, Feb. 13.

Here is what we know so far about the shooting:

1. Three people were killed and five injured. Police said a man entered Berkey Hall at about 8:18 p.m. and, at some point, began shooting.

Two people were killed at Berkey Hall before the man moved to the neighboring Union building, where one additional person was shot and killed.

The five injured people were seriously injured and described as in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital, MSU Deputy Chief Chris Rozman said.

Related: Shooting suspect was 43-year-old unconnected to Michigan State; 5 remain critically injured

Police did not say early Tuesday whether those killed and injured were students or university staff.

“We will share that information as soon as we are able to. Please understand that behind every victim is a family and loved one and we need to be respectful to that,” Rozman said.

2. The suspect, who police say took his own life after being confronted by an officer in Lansing, is a 43-year-old man.

Police did not give an exact location of the incident, but there was a heavy police presence at Lake Lansing Road and North Larch Street about 11:50 p.m. There also appeared to be a body under a covering along a sidewalk.

Police wanted to speak with the man because his appearance matched a surveillance image captured by an MSU surveillance camera.

Rozman said the man has no affiliation with MSU and is not a student, faculty member or staff.

“And we have no idea why he came to campus to do this tonight,” Rozman said. “It’s part of our ongoing investigation.”

As part of the investigation, police were investigating where the man lived, but he would not confirm that a heavy police presence in a Lansing neighborhood just north of the suicide was the home.

Police did not say what type of weapon was used in the shooting.

3. When the shooting happened and police issued an alert across campus for students to shelter-in-place, it led to some unsettling hours for much of campus.

Some students hid under furniture. Many listened to online scanners for any news. Others barricaded themselves inside buildings.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers flooded onto campus and many students sheltered in their apartments and dorm rooms, trying to get a sense of what was really happening from the mix of fact and fabrication circulating over social media.

Related: Shooting on MSU campus ‘surreal’ for students who grew up with active-shooter drills

Over the next several hours, there were various reports of possible suspect sightings and police rushed to check out other reports of “shots fired” that turned out to be unfounded.

MSU lifted the shelter-in-place order about 12:30 a.m.

4. MSU has canceled all university activities — athletics, classes and all campus-related activities — in the aftermath of the shooting. The suspension will last two days.

“This is day of shock and heartbreak here across our campus and our region,” said MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff. “We are devastated at the loss of life and we want to wrap our warm arms around every family that is touched by this tragedy.”

Woodruff said the university staff and students will take the next two days to give people time to “think, and breathe and come together.”

She said resources will be available beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14 at the Hannah Community Center for students and others to get emotional support. counseling and other help.

MSU Police Chief Marlon Lynch urged people to support each other.

“If you witness people that need assistance, please speak up. Encourage them to seek help. Sometimes they’re just unable to do it alone,” he said.

5. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a graduate of MSU, said in a statement that the community is “devastated” by the shooting.

“MSU’s campus is a special place for so many, and it is now the site of another senseless act of gun violence,” she said. “Parents across Michigan were on pins and needles calling their kids to check in on them and tell them they love them. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

“Spartans will cry and hold each other a little closer,” she added. “We will mourn the loss of beautiful souls and pray for those fighting for their lives in the hospital.”

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