EAST LANSING (WWJ) - The message painted on the Rock at Michigan State University has changed three times since the deadly mass shooting on Monday evening -- and the words couldn't be more different as the tragedy reignited a national debate over gun laws.
"How many more?" red spray paint spelled out on a black background on the large stone for over 24 hours on the East Lansing campus as students, staff and the community mourned three students killed and five others injured in a shooting rampage.
But by sunrise on Wednesday morning, a new message appeared seemingly in support of gun rights.
"Allow us to defend ourselves & carry on campus," the freshly painted words read in white and green.
Not hours later, two women were seen around 9 a.m. painting over the rock, leaving behind a memorial message to the deceased and injured victims.
The sentiments left on the stone reflected a campus in mourning with people left wondering where to turn next. State leaders and lawmakers expressed their outrage and sadness over the latest school shooting and called for action.
Ranjeev Puri, the Democratic Majority Whip in the Michigan House of Representatives, posted an official statement to Twitter with his reaction to Monday's tragedy -- and he didn't hold back.
"F*** your thoughts and prayers," the representative wrote. "What happened in East Lansing is unfortunately far too common. Going to school in America, whether it’s pre-school or college, means risking your life everyday to the threat of a mass shooting, yet all we have offered up are empty solutions—traumatizing active shooter drills and bulletproof backpacks."
His words were echoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.
Slotkin — who represents Michigan's 8th congressional district to include Oxford, Mich. — also called for lawmakers to do more as she spoke at her second mass shooting press briefing within a year and a half.
"I cannot believe I am here again doing this 15 months later," Slotkin stated at a press conference Tuesday morning, referencing the deadly Oxford High School shooting in November of 2021.
"I am filled with rage that we have to have another press conference to talk about our children being killed in their schools and would say that you either care about protecting kids or you don't," Slotkin continued with intensity. "You either care about having an open, honest conversation about what is going on in our society or you don't, but please don't tell me you care about the safety of children if you're not willing to have a conversation about keeping them safe in a place that should be a sanctuary."
The high emotions were felt by students, staff and the community left to mourn three students killed in the attack, identified as Brian Fraser, age 20, a sophomore from Grosse Pointe; Alexandria Verner, age 20, a junior from Clawson; Arielle Anderson, age 19, junior, from Gross Pointe.
Five other victims were critically injured and remain hospitalized on Wednesday.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who took a team to MSU the night of the shooting, told WWJ's Beth Fisher that he can't offer any solutions to prevention something like this from happening again, but he did say lawmakers, citizens and police all have to come together to figure it out.
"Gun responsibility is a topic that can't be partisan -- it's got to be parents, law enforcement and leaders," Swanson said. "I think anybody who sees these situations has to agree that we need to take steps in the right direction, but they have to be unified steps not talking about issues that are divisive, that strike a nerve because it's very, very sensitive."
For 150 years, MSU's Rock has served as a sort of public billboard for the students and groups on campus, the university stated on its archive page. The 18,000-year-old pudding stone has a tradition that traces back before the Sparty Statue and Beaumont Tower ever came into existence.
In the 1950s and 40s, it was known as the 'Engagement Rock' where men would propose, but during the 1960s and 70s, the university said the Rock became more of a "political platform" and a place that attracted graffiti.
Most of the spray painted messages on the rock reflect now the various Greek life organizations, student groups and upcoming events — but statements left the past couple of days once again highlight the deep rift over what can be done to stop mass shootings in America.
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