Officials say MSU shooter had ties to New Jersey. Here's what we know now

Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·2 min read
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EWING — Township schools canceled classes Tuesday after investigators learned of a potential threat from a mass-shooting suspect in Michigan.

The shooting suspect, 43-year-old Anthony McRae, carried a note that “indicated a threat to two Ewing public schools,” Schools Superintendent Peter Gentile and Ewing's police department said in a statement.

Ewing Township police officers stand watch outside the Ewing Township High School on Parkway Avenue Tuesday afternoon, February 14, 2023. Classes were canceled here after investigators learned of a potential threat from a mass-shooting suspect in Michigan.
Ewing Township police officers stand watch outside the Ewing Township High School on Parkway Avenue Tuesday afternoon, February 14, 2023. Classes were canceled here after investigators learned of a potential threat from a mass-shooting suspect in Michigan.

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But the statement said, “After further investigation, it has been determined that the incident is isolated to Michigan, and there is no threat to Ewing Schools.”

Ewing schools closed Tuesday

Ewing Township police officers stand watch outside the Ewing Township High School on Parkway Avenue Tuesday afternoon, February 14, 2023. Classes were canceled here after investigators learned of a potential threat from a mass-shooting suspect in Michigan.
Ewing Township police officers stand watch outside the Ewing Township High School on Parkway Avenue Tuesday afternoon, February 14, 2023. Classes were canceled here after investigators learned of a potential threat from a mass-shooting suspect in Michigan.

The township's five schools closed Tuesday and the buildings received police protection due to “an abundance of caution."

Ewing schools, which serve about 3,300 students, will resume normal operations on Wednesday.

The neighboring Trenton district increased police patrols in its schools for the day.

And in nearby Hamilton Township, the schools superintendent reported no threat to local students but emphasized the need for school safety.

"Please remember and remind your children if you see something, say something," Hamilton Superintendent Scott Rocco said in a letter on the school's website.

McRae allegedly killed three people and wounded five others in a rampage Monday night on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing. All five surviving victims were reported in critical condition.

McRae, who had no known ties to the Michigan school, also killed himself, police said.

McRae previously lived in Ewing

Ewing police learned at about 6 a.m. Tuesday of McRae’s “possible connection to the Mercer County community," according to the statement.

A note in the suspect's pocket mentioned Ewing High School and the town's Fisher Middle School, police said.

McRae "had a history of mental health issues" and had not lived in the Ewing area "for several years," according to the statement.

Gentile expressed gratitude to the local police department and other law enforcement agencies “for their rapid and thorough response.”

“The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority,” he said.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Ewing schools closed after police say MSU shooter carried threat note