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Route of MSU shooter revealed in MSUPD investigation update

April 27, 2023
A Lansing Police car outside of MSU Union during the response of a shooting on Michigan State’s campus on the night Feb. 13, 2023.
A Lansing Police car outside of MSU Union during the response of a shooting on Michigan State’s campus on the night Feb. 13, 2023. —
Photo by Audrey Richardson | The State News

Michigan State University Police and Public Safety released the timeline of the shooter, along with additional details and investigation updates into the shooting that took place on MSU's campus the night of Feb. 13.

The shooter exited a bus at Grand River Avenue, in front of Berkey Hall at 7:19 p.m.

He spent an hour walking outside within the area, crossing Grand River Avenue and passing the Broad Art Museum before the first shots fired call was received by Ingham County 911 at 8:18 p.m.

Officers arrived at the scene two minutes later and police believe the shooter fired one shot while walking from Berkey Hall to the Union shortly after.

The shooter entered the Union at 8:24 p.m., with the first shooting report from the building coming two minutes later. He then exited the building and left campus. Shortly after this, MSU's first shelter-in-place alert was sent.

The shooter then proceeded to walk a near five-mile route toward Lake Lansing Road and Larch Street.

He walked on Grand River Avenue, before turning onto Harrison Road. It is here that police say he was spotted walking northbound around 9:14 p.m. An alert was sent out notifying the campus and the city at 10:04 p.m.

Police say they were not aware of the shooter being spotted on Harrison Road, but learned about it through the investigation.

After this, the shooter walked toward Grand River Avenue, where he walked until reaching the Frandor Shopping Center. He continued westbound on Saginaw St. for almost 1.5 miles. He walked up Pennsylvania Avenue before turning onto High Street and then walking toward Lake Lansing. 

On Lake Lansing Road, police are notified of someone matching the shooter's description at 11:35 p.m.

At 11:50 p.m., after turning onto Larch Street, the shooter was approached by police and proceeded to shoot himself fatally.

Around 40 minutes later, the shelter-in-place was lifted.

Police stated that two weapons were found on the shooter at the time of his death. The police said in release said the shooter used a Michigan Identification Card and a Social Security Card to purchase the handguns. The handguns were legally purchased, but not registered. 

There is no conclusive motive for the shooter targeting MSU based on the investigation's findings. He had no personal connection to MSU.

The investigation has not revealed any additional suspects in the shooting.

The report shared other findings, including that the shooter's blood alcohol level was .04% at the time of death, he also had THC in his system. 

The release stated the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing and will be submitted to the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office for review upon completion.

City Editor Dan Netter has contributed to this report.

Editor's note: The State News has decided against repeated publication of the shooter's name. His name can be found here.

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