Attorneys representing the families of Nate Statly and Troy Forbush, survivors of the Feb. 13th mass shooting on MSU’s campus, have filed a notice of intent to sue Michigan State University. Court documents cite the university’s failure to resolve complaints with regard to defective safety measures and a lack of restrictions to access university buildings, among other reasons.
“At the time of the incident, Michigan State University had knowledge of defective safety conditions and the lack of restrictions as to the general access of campus buildings and failed to remedy the defective condition or to take any action to protect students, staff and visitors on its campus from harm,” court documents stated.
Statly and Forbush were both in a lecture located in Berkey Hall when gunman Anthony McRae entered their classroom and opened fire on students. Court documents claim that the university was aware of “complaints regarding defective safety measures and the lack of restrictions as to access general buildings, including Berkey Hall.”
The filing lists "allowing open public access to its buildings during evening hours; failing to have an adequate number of security cameras to effectively monitor campus buildings; failing to install locks on the inside of classroom doors” as some of the complaints against the MSU Department of Public Safety and Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.
The filing states that the professor of the classroom “blocked the door with his foot to prevent the gunman from re-entering the room as the door could not be locked from the inside."
“At the very least, having received previous complaints and under the lens of today’s climate regarding mass shootings, Michigan State University should have provided adequate corrective measures to repair the defective condition of safety measures and security locks,” the court documents stated.
MSU spokesperson Dan Olsen said in a statement to The State News that the university remains in communication with the families affected by the shooting.
“Many lives among our community have been profoundly impacted by the violence our campus experienced. We are heartbroken and sorry for the tragic loss of life and each person harmed by senseless gun violence. MSU has been engaged in conversations with the families of those we lost and those injured to identify ways to provide ongoing support, and we are committed to keeping those lines of communication open,” Olsen said.
Attorney Mick Grewal, who is part of the team representing the Statly and Forbush families, declined to comment at the time of publication.
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