Police: Note by gunman indicated he felt `slighted'

>> A gunman suspected of fatally shooting three students at Michigan State University on Monday night and wounding five others had a note on him that included threats against multiple institutions and a claim that he had a team of 20 individuals who would help him carry out his plans, police said Thursday.

The handwritten note led police to believe Anthony McRae, 43, felt “slighted,” though officials stressed they are far from defining a concrete motive that led to the mass shooting at Berkey Hall and the MSU Union.

MSU Deputy Police Chief Chris Rozman said police are still trying to determine McRae's connection to the university and the other locations listed in the note as well as what motivated the rampage.

“He just felt slighted,” said Michigan State Police Lt. Rene Gonzalez, who noted that McRae had some issues with businesses that had asked him to leave, but didn't indicate where those businesses are. “That's sort of what the note indicated.”

Two students were shot dead at Berkey Hall, while another was killed at the MSU Union. They were Arielle Anderson, 19, of Harper Woods; Brian Fraser, 20, of Grosse Pointe; and Alexandria Verner, 20, of Clawson.

Rozman said McRae had two 9 mm handguns and multiple rounds of ammunition with him in a backpack.

“We have learned that they (the handguns) were purchased legally by the shooter, but they were not registered,” Rozman said.

McRae said nothing to police officers as they approached him late Monday night near Lake Lansing Road and Larch Street approximately 3.8 miles northwest of campus, near his home, before taking his own life, Gonzalez said.

Responding to a tip, Lansing police officers approached McRae in their vehicles, exited and, from about 20 feet away, ordered him to show his hands, the State Police official said.

At that point, McRae pulled out a handgun and shot himself without saying a word to the officers, Gonzalez said.

In all, McRae had two 9mm handguns, eight loaded magazines, two empty magazines and a pouch with 50 loose rounds, Gonzalez said. Police also found two local bus tickets and a two-page handwritten note.

Gonzalez said the note contained threats against MSU, a school district in New Jersey, some local businesses and a Meijer warehouse in nearby Delta Township where he used to work. He said McRae claimed in the note to be leading a group of 20 individuals who would participate in his plans.