MSU shooter ‘slighted’
McRae had 2 guns and note suggesting psych ills, cops say
Anthony McRae, the shooter in Monday night’s Michigan State University massacre, was carrying two guns and a note that might indicate a motive, authorities said Thursday.
“It appears based on the content of the note that he felt he was slighted in some way by people or businesses,” campus police Deputy Chief Chris Rozman said Thursday. “Did a mental health issue amplify that, or was it a component of that? We’re not sure at this point. We’re working our best to try to determine that as best as possible.”
Both weapons were 9-mm. pistols that were legally purchased by McRae but hadn’t been registered, police said at a news conference. Besides the two-page note, the MSU gunman was also carrying dozens of extra ammunition rounds, cops said.
McRae killed himself after a manhunt, according to officials, who say they found him about 4 miles northwest of the university’s campus in East Lansing.
Three MSU students, 19-year-old Arielle Anderson, 20-year-old Brian Fraser and 20-year-old Alexandria Verner — died in the on-campus shooting, which left five others wounded.
One of the wounded students was upgraded Thursday to stable condition, while the other four remain critical. Officials haven’t named the wounded victims.
“I’m pleased that we are seeing some signs of improvement in some of our students,” MSU Interim President Theresa Woodruff said. “Our Spartan nation continues to send good thoughts to each of them, to their families, and to the doctors and nurses at Sparrow Hospital.”
McRae, 43, wasn’t a student or employee at the university. The notes indicated a possible motive, which police haven’t confirmed or discussed publicly, Michigan State Police Lt. Rene Gonzalez said Thursday.
Authorities interviewed McRae’s father, who said his son didn’t have any friends and “pretty much never left his room,” according to Gonzalez. McRae didn’t appear to say anything to officers during a short confrontation before he killed himself, Gonzalez said.
Michigan State resumed standard operations Thursday. The buildings where the shootings occurred — Berkey Hall and the MSU Union — remained closed.