Police: Suspect in Michigan State shooting had no clear ties to university

The suspect who shot eight Michigan State University students — three fatally — on Monday evening had no evident ties to campus, police said at an 8 a.m. press conference.

Police are still searching for why Anthony McRae, 43, allegedly walked into two campus buildings and opened fire. He had no known current or past ties to the university, police said. After police published a photo taken from a security camera of McRae, a member of the public phoned police with a tip on where he was. Shortly after police made contact with him, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

Three victims died on campus, two in Berkey Hall and one in the Union on the northern edge of MSU's East Lansing campus, on the border with downtown East Lansing. The remaining five victims were transported to Sparrow Hospital. Four of the five required surgery last night and all are listed in critical condition.

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During the press conference federal, state, local and university officials gave updates. Many of them spoke with audible sadness tremors in their voices. Dr. Denny Martin, chief medical officer at Sparrow Hospital, broke down in tears as he recalled hospital staff rushing to hospital to help treat victims.

Whitmer, Slotkin express sadness and worry

Politicians also spoke, railing against yet another campus shooting.

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin said, "I am filled with rage" that officials had to hold another press conference to talk about children killed in schools.

"If this is not a wake-up call to do something, I don't know what is."

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a MSU graduate, expressed similar concerns.

"We mourn the loss of beautiful souls today. Every Spartan … should know that Michiganders are thinking of you today," she said with noticeable sadness in her voice as she talked about students trying to decide who their last phone call would be to and of parents calling students to tell them to be safe and that they were loved. "We cannot continue to live like this.

"We're all broken by an all-too-familiar feeling. Another place that is supposed to be about community and togetherness shattered by bullets and bloodshed."

'Our Spartan hearts are broken'

MSU has canceled all classes and activities through Wednesday. Tuesday morning, interim President Teresa Woodruff said all classes would be canceled through Monday. It was unclear if other activities would restart. Counseling services are being offered to students.

Woodruff, voice breaking, summed up what her campus was feeling.

"Our Spartan hearts are broken."

Contact David Jesse: 313-222-8851 or djesse@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @reporterdavidj

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MSU shooting suspect Anthony McRae had no ties to school, cops say