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MSU students, community react to Central Michigan shooting

March 2, 2018

Two people are dead following a shooting Friday morning at Central Michigan University that garnered national attention. The two victims were not students.

The alleged shooter is Central Michigan sophomore James Eric Davis Jr. Authorities say the event is still active and the campus is on lock-down.

The shots were fired on the fourth floor of Campbell Hall at Central Michigan. Police urge students to stay inside.

Mechanical engineering senior Andrew Biggie first heard about the shooting just after it had occurred — around 9:45 a.m.

“I’m part of Kappa Sigma and one of the other brothers at one of the other Michigan chapters posted it on our state page, saying like, ‘Hey, I heard about the shooting at CMU, are the guys there okay?’” Biggie said. 

Biggie talked about the incident, which comes during a wave of debate over gun control following the deadly Parkland school shooting.

“I mean, obviously it does suck. I feel like something definitely needs to be done," Biggie said. "It’s a little ridiculous just with the amount of shootings and stuff like that that’s happened lately. Fortunately, this was a less severe one compared to the Parkland shooting.” 

Communications freshman Sierra Hole heard about the shooting from a close friend who attends Central Michigan.

"I think it's pretty sad," Hole said. "I hope everyone is okay and no one else gets hurt. I hope they figure it out soon, if they have not already."

Central Michigan alumnus Robert Bylski said he was shocked to learn that a shooting had taken place at his alma mater.

“Mount Pleasant’s a pretty tight-knit community," Bylski said. "It’s kind of shocking, you worry about, ‘What’s happening, where are your friends currently?’ I started contacting a bunch of people just making sure they were safe and in lock-down."

Davis was last seen in a blue hoodie and mustard yellow pants. Authorities described the situation as an "active event" during a press conference around noon on Friday.

During the press conference, Mount Pleasant Police Public Information Officer Jeff Brown asked residents to call 911 if they see Davis. Residents are asked to stay inside and not search for the alleged shooter.

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