MSU shooting: Gunman who killed three ‘likely planned to attack school’ – details of victim emerge | US News

The gunman who killed three people at Michigan State University may also be planning to attack two schools, according to police.

Anthony McRae, 43, died Monday night from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after he opened fire on students on the East Lansing campus.

Five people were also taken to hospital – some in a life-threatening condition – while The campus was locked down for hours as police searched for him.

McRae’s Motive and any connection to MSU remains unknownbut he has a history of mental illness, and his neighbors described him as a “hell breeder” who would shoot in the house.

Police in Ewing, New Jersey, more than 800 miles away, said they found a note in his pocket that read “threats” to two local public schools.

They gave no further details, but said on Facebook that McCray hadn’t lived there in several years.

He was living with his father in Lansing when the shooting occurred.

Michael McRae said his son was given a gun despite his 2019 conviction for not having the correct license — which would prevent him from getting another.

“I told him to throw the gun away,” Michael McRae told The Washington Post. “He lied to me all the time and told me he had gotten rid of it.

“He’d go outside and shoot, and I’d see shell casings on the ground, and he’d be like, ‘Oh, that wasn’t me, Dad.'”

He said his son has struggled since his mother died in 2020, spending hours in his room and not paying attention to his appearance.

McRae’s attack began Monday night when he opened fire first at an academic building and then attacked others at a nearby MSU union.

Students described fleeing for their lives and jumping out of windows, while others sealed off rooms as police issued a “shelter in place” order.

Hours later, someone identified the shooter from CCTV images and called police, who were located about five miles away.

He shot himself, but it was unclear if he was dead when police arrived.

Aspiring surgeon and fraternity president among victims

Tribute to the three students who were shot: Alexandria Vernier, Brian Fraser and Arielle Anderson.

Ms. Vernier, who is studying Integrative Biology and Anthropology, is described by her superintendent as “an outstanding student, athlete, leader [who] Showing kindness every day of her life.”

Brian Fraser is president of the Delta Theta fraternity at Michigan State University.

“Brian is our leader and we love him,” it said in a statement.

“He cares deeply about his Phi Delta brothers, his family, MSU and Phi Delta Theta.

“Our chapter has supported one another during this difficult time, and we will miss Brian greatly and deeply mourn his passing.”

Arielle Anderson’s family said she hopes to graduate from MSU sooner so she can become a surgeon sooner.

They said she had an “infectious smile,” adding: “As much as we love her, she loves us and everyone else more.”