Mourners gather to remember students killed in Michigan State University shooting spree
Two caskets, draped in white cloths, were placed before the altars at two metro Detroit Catholic churches Saturday morning as weeping friends and family said goodbye to Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner — young lives stolen by gunfire on the Michigan State University campus.
Hours later, as the last flickers of daylight filtered through the stained-glass windows of First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, hundreds more gripped candles in honor of a third student, Arielle Anderson, who also died in the Feb. 13 mass shooting.
In an instant that night, everything changed for Verner, Anderson and Fraser, and for all who love them.
"We come here tonight filled with questions: Why or why not or what if?" said the Rev. Sean Motley, pastor of First English Evangelical Lutheran Church. "There are not always so many answers. And even if we have the answers, they don't change what is, and ... we feel a loss and sadness. We grieve that Arielle was killed. We grieve that Brian and Alexandria were killed.”
“We're left with memories and experiences and the love that Arielle shared with all those around her, and we are left with hope — a hope, because evil and death will never have the last word."
'Those beautiful blue eyes'
The day of solemn remembrance began in Grosse Pointe Farms and Clawson, where hundreds gathered at 11 a.m. for separate funeral Masses for both Verner and Fraser.
During a more than hourlong Mass at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Fraser's wooden casket was brought before the altar as his family — his parents, Mia and Sean Fraser, and his sister, Micaela — covered it in a white cloth, and placed a crucifix on top.
Fraser, 20, a sophomore at Michigan State, graduated from Grosse Pointe South in 2021 and attended St. Paul on the Lake's school through eighth grade.
The Rev. Jim Bilot described him as a "charismatic, smiling, humorous, good-natured young man," who was "hard to not like."
He was an athlete, president of his fraternity and, in the end, he was an organ donor.
"Somebody has new veins, new arteries," Bilot said. "Most beautifully, and I know this is hard ... but (because of) those beautiful blue eyes, somebody else will be able to see the world anew. That's good. That's holy."
More:Michigan State shooting victim Brian Fraser remembered as a leader in community
More:Michigan State shooting victim Alexandria Verner was all-state athlete, leader
Bilot urged Fraser's fraternity brothers, classmates, family and friends to move forward with confidence, not with fear.
"To the community of Michigan State University, my heart just goes out to so many that are affected by this," Bilot said. "But to the students, to the frat brothers, please go back. Go back with determination. Go back with the confidence of the spirit of his love, of God's love ... that you ... are not going to allow evil to disperse you, to make you be fearful.
"Honoring Brian, do your part and effect change in our world. You have the ability to effect that change. And I am confident that when you go back, I will be praying that you will be able to do what the Lord has entrusted you to do with your abilities."
As Fraser's casket was taken from the church, "On Eagles Wings" played on the organ, and a woman sang:
"You need not fear the terror of the nightNor the arrow that flies by dayThough thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.
"And He will raise you up on eagles' wingsBear you on the breath of dawnMake you to shine like the sunAnd hold you in the palm of His hand."
"Everybody's been asking, why does something happen evil to a good person?" Bilot said. "Will there be any good people left if this continues to happen? ... The father in heaven gave us the gift of free will for us to make decisions ... to choose the highest moral good.
"In this tragedy ... we need to choose. The grace of God does prevail."
'Phenomenal human being'
At the same time, about 20 miles away in Clawson, hundreds more filled Guardian Angels Catholic Church for Verner's funeral Mass.
Known by friends and family as Alex, Verner, 20, was a junior at Michigan State, studying forensics.
She graduated from Clawson High School in 2020 and was an all-state softball player, league-MVP in basketball and volleyball, and was a student leader and scholar.
She “embodied everything that as a parent you would want your daughter to embody,” Clawson Public Schools Superintendent Billy Shellenbarger told the Free Press in a previous interview. “High character, kindness, a giver, so well-mannered, always smiling.
“She defined what being a phenomenal human being was all about,” he said. “Adults looked up to her because of it — I looked up to her.”
Pink, red and white flower arrangements and a photo of Verner were placed at the front of the church Saturday, along with her casket, which was covered in a white cloth. During the somber, peaceful service, which lasted a little more than an hour, Verner's family, friends and fellow students consoled one another.
The Rev. Tony Richter, pastor of Guardian Angels, led the service, speaking about hope, faith and love, which he said Verner emulated in her day-to-day life. She inspired many, he said, and will be remembered as a selfless, loving person.
Before the service concluded, her family — parents Ted and Nancy Verner, and siblings TJ and Charlie Verner — hung a cross on the back wall of the church in her honor.
'An angel here on earth'
As Saturday's brilliant blue sky faded to twilight, more people crowded into First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, just blocks away from Grosse Pointe North High School, from which Anderson graduated in 2021.
Two large photos of Anderson — one showing her with her left hand raised, making a peace sign — were placed at the front of the church, along with several arrangements of white flowers.
Two people passed through aisles, lighting the candles in the hands of mourners sitting at the ends of the pews. Each person then shared the flame with those beside them. Slowly, the room filled with pinpricks of flickering light.
Anderson, 19, of Harper Woods, aspired to graduate early from Michigan State and go on to become a doctor. She was described by family as bright, inspiring and humble.
More:Family of MSU shooting victim Arielle Anderson starts GoFundMe
The Rev. Don Robinson of Greater Missionary Baptist Church recalled Anderson's smile when she would come to church.
"She had one of those smiles that would make you smile," he said.
Anderson's family said in a statement issued earlier this week: “We lost our precious daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, Arielle Anderson. She means the world to us. As much as we loved her, she loved us and others even more. She was passionate about helping her friends and family, assisting children and serving people.
"As an angel here on earth, Arielle was sweet and loving with an infectious smile that was contagious. We are absolutely devastated by this heinous act of violence against her and many other innocent victims."
Visitation for Anderson is scheduled for 2-7 p.m. Monday at Q A Cantrell Funeral Home, 22121 Kelly Road, Eastpointe. A funeral is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 4867 Van Dyke St., Detroit.
Free Press staff writers Violet Ikonomova and Andrea May Sahouri contributed to this article. Subscribe to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MSU shooting: Funerals held for Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner
