Wednesday, April 24, 2024

MSU community leadership responds to on-campus shooting

February 14, 2023
<p>Former trustee Melanie Foster is overcome with emotion at The Rock on Farm Lane on Feb. 14, 2023 one day after the mass shooting in Michigan State University's North Neighborhood.</p>

Former trustee Melanie Foster is overcome with emotion at The Rock on Farm Lane on Feb. 14, 2023 one day after the mass shooting in Michigan State University's North Neighborhood.

Photo by Devin Anderson-Torrez | The State News

Following the mass shooting on Michigan State University’s campus, leaving three students dead and five injured, members of MSU community leadership sent out statements showing their support for students.

The MSU Board of Trustees released a statement saying it talked to families of the victims and are devastated with them and for them. 

“Please hold space with the entire Spartan community as we navigate the weeks ahead,” the statement said. “We will get through this difficult time by healing together. Take care of yourselves and one another. Please seek out support in our community if you need it.”

The Associated Students of Michigan State University posted a statement on Twitter. 

“We now mourn the lives of Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and another Spartan — whose privacy deserves to be respected at this time,” the statement said. “We are also sending strength to those fighting for their lives and recovering from their injuries. We implore all people impacted by this event to remain resilient and respectful as more information regarding the victims is released.”

In the statement ASMSU went on to thank MSUPD and all additional law enforcement that served the community last night. It thanked MSU’s administration and Office of the President for supplementary responses and keeping the community informed in a timely manner.

“This is a loss felt by all of Spartan Nation, and the pain we feel is unbearable,” the statement said. “It is one thing to acknowledge the horrible reality of gun violence in America, but it is another to experience it firsthand. This morning, we mourn not only the lives of our peers and friends but also the loss of the feeling of security and safety on campus.”

ASMSU said its members' hearts go out to all students who experienced the tragedy on campus last night. ASMSU said this year has shown the world how strong MSU is and it is upsetting that Spartan Nation is being asked to stay strong again.

“As your undergraduate student government, we have had the incredible privilege to be students advocating for the needs of students, and we will not stop fighting for the right to feel safe on campus,” the statement said. “To lose members of our community in this manner is deeply unsettling, and we are committed to supporting all students at this time in any capacity we can while also beginning our own healing processes.”

The statement urged students, staff members, parents, alumni and members of the East Lansing community to take the time needed to grieve. It said thoughts and prayers are appreciated, but ASMSU wants action and change and that this should have never happened. 

“Please check in with your loved ones,” the statement said. “Tell them you love them. Take care of yourselves and others through this difficult time, and finally remember to show compassion to everyone around you. We love you all.”

It concluded with resources for MSU students including CAPS, MSU Emergency Updates, MSU Trauma Services and Training Network and more. 

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