Police identify shooter at Michigan State University that left 3 dead

By Darren Lyn

HOUSTON, United States (AA) - Police in the US state of Michigan identified the shooter in a campus rampage that left three students dead and five others injured at Michigan State University (MSU) in Lansing.

Investigators said Tuesday that Anthony McRae, 43, went onto the MSU campus and opened gunfire late Monday as people scattered to get away from the shots.

Police said McRae was not a student or affiliated with the university.

"And we have no idea why he came to campus to do this," MSU interim police deputy chief Chris Rozman said at a news conference.

It was a frightening scene for students who were caught in the middle of the shooting.

"I could hear gunshots like directly behind my head. And I could see the smoke, gunpowder or something from the weapon firing," Claire Papoulias told NBC News. "Immediately I dropped to the floor with all my classmates."

Moments after the rampage, MSU police used its emergency alert system to send a message to all students and staff "to shelter in place, to run, hide, fight."

Police were able to capture a picture of the suspect on campus surveillance cameras and send the image to media outlets to try and track him down.

Through tips from the public, officers eventually found McRae, who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"We mourn the loss of beautiful souls today and pray for those who are continuing to fight for their lives," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. "Every Spartan student, parent and staff member should know that Michiganders and Americans everywhere are thinking of you today."

Whitmer noted Tuesday marks the fifth year of a shooting that killed 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14, 2018.