Feb 14, 2023
Michigan State University mourns shooting victims

Less than a quarter mile from Michigan State University’s Ag Hall, a gunman opened fire Monday night, killing three students, wounding five more, and forcing many students to “run, hide, fight” following an emergency alert from MSU police.

The incidents occurred after 8 p.m. at Berkey Hall and MSU Union, according to MSU police, and ended when the gunman fatally shot himself just before midnight.

At 50,000-plus students, nearly 5,700 employees, and roughly 281,000 MSU alumni living in Michigan, the tragedy hit close to home for many families, their children, friends and those who are employed on campus, according to Carl Bednarski, president of Michigan Farm Bureau.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the student victims and their families as they deal with this unimaginable and senseless tragedy,” Bednarski said, according to the Michigan Farm Bureau’s Farm News Media

A deadly shooting on Feb. 13 was near Michigan State University’s Agriculture Hall.

. “As a land-grant university, the tragic events at Michigan State University will have a lasting impact on all of us.”

MSU police said 43-year-old Anthony Dwayne McRae committed the crime. Names of the victims can be found here.

Officials from MSU’s College of Ag and Natural Resources (CANR) issued a letter to agricultural stakeholders and about 4,000 CANR students expressing sadness over the recent violence.

“Our students are the heart of the work we do at Michigan State, and we are devastated that young lives were lost on our campus,” wrote Kelly Millenbah, dean of CANR; Quentin Tyler, director of MSU Extension; George Smith, director of AgBioResearch; and Patrick Cudney, director of government and stakeholder relations at MSU.

“Today, our hearts are with those who lost their lives, their families and friends, our injured students and the many thousands of employees and students who may no longer feel safe here on our beautiful campus.”

Following the incident, MSU moved into modified operations through Wednesday. The university will resume normal operations on Thursday, with all classes — online and in person — canceled through Friday.

— Dennis Rudat and Mitch Galloway, Farm News Media

 




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