EAST LANSING (WWJ) – A suspect is dead after a shooting that killed three people and injured at least five others on the campus of Michigan State University on Monday night.
MSU Interim Deputy Police Chief Chris Rozman said in an update after midnight the suspect, whose name has not been released, has taken his own life. WWJ's Jon Hewett reports the suspect apparently shot himself in the area of Lansing Lake Road and High Road in the city of Lansing, roughly five miles away from the scene of the original shooting.
The suspect, a 43-year-old man, is not affiliated with the school in any way, according to Rozman. Officials did not provide his hometown in an early Tuesday morning press briefing. It was not clear why he was on campus.
Rozman said the initial shooting happened at 8:18 p.m. and officers from multiple agencies responded to Berkey within minutes and had officers in the building following their active shooter protocol.
"While officers were in Berkey Hall, the suspect moved over to the Union and when the incident took place there, officers quickly redeployed to the Union and that's when the suspect left out the north door of the Union, which is the point that he was last seen," Rozman said.
Two victims were killed at Berkey Hall, while the other was killed at the Union, according to Rozman. He said it was not yet clear how many students were in each location at the time of the shooting.
Officials have not released any information about the victims and it was not immediately clear if they were students. Authorities said some of the victims who were taken to Sparrow Hospital had life-threatening injuries.
All five were said to be in critical condition, as of the 1:30 a.m. update.
MSU Police and Public Safety officials said there is no longer a threat to campus and the shelter-in-place has been lifted.
Rozman said "we have absolutely no information" on what the possible motive could be.
Students received an alert from the school around 8:30 p.m. telling them to "Run, Hide, Fight."
Contrary to rumors circulating on social media earlier in the night, police officials say there was only one suspect.
Officials later said on Twitter another shooting was believed to have happened at IM East, with multiple people injured.
During an 11 p.m. news briefing, officials said they had received multiple reports of other shootings at locations on and around campus and tips that were not accurate.
"There have been false reports of additional shootings, there have been false reports of the suspect seen in numerous different locations. Those reports are not accurate," Rozman said.
The FBI is assisting police in the investigation. As the investigation continues, police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or knows something about it to call the MSU tip line at 844-99-MSUPD or email tips@police.msu.edu.
Police had been asking the public to stay away from campus, but officials now say families can pick up their students.
All campus activities are canceled for at least 48 hours, including MSU's basketball game against Minnesota on Tuesday, all other athletics events, classes, and all campus-related activities, according to MSU police.
"As police handle the incident at MSU there is going to be a lot of guessing and rumors," Michigan State Police said on Twitter. Follow @msupolice for the most accurate information. As of right now they want people to shelter and remember the principles of Run Hide Fight. Adding to the speculation helps no one."
Hewett reported the suspect took his own life in the proximity of his own home. It is not yet known why he was on campus Monday night. Authorities found multiple magazines and a weapon inside the suspect's backpack, according to Hewett.
Authorities are scheduled to provide another update on the case at 1:30 a.m.
Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest details on this developing story. >>> LISTEN LIVE!
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