EAST LANSING, Mich. — Police say three people have been killed in shootings at Michigan State University.
The deaths are in addition to five people who were wounded in the Monday night shootings, campus police said.
Meanwhile, the search for the gunman continued. He’s described as a short man with red shoes, a jean jacket and ball cap.
The shootings began shortly before 8:30 p.m. at Berkey Hall, an academic building, and also occurred nearby at the student union, a popular gathering spot, said Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department.
Rozman said hundreds of officers were on the East Lansing campus to maintain safety and catch the gunman.
Students were ordered to continue sheltering in place. Shootings occurred at two campus buildings
“We are still receiving multiple calls of an active shooter on campus,” police said.
Police said victims were being transported to a local hospital.
Authorities ordered students and staff to shelter in place after a report of shots fired around Berkey Hall, an academic building, on the East Lansing campus.
In an alert sent shortly after 7:30 p.m. Chicago time, campus police reported a “shots fired incident occurring on or near the East Lansing campus.” The alert advised students and staff to “Secure-in-Place immediately” and to monitor alert.msu.edu for information.
By 9:15 p.m. Chicago time, police said Berkey, as well as nearby residence halls, were secured.
Separately, police reported a shooting at IM East, a recreational center for students.
Aedan Kelley, a junior who lives half a mile east of campus, said he locked his doors and covered his windows “just in case.” Sirens were constant, he said, and a helicopter hovered overhead.
“It’s all very frightening,” Kelley said. “And then I have all these people texting me wondering if I’m OK, which is overwhelming.”
Authorities announced late Monday that all campus activities would be canceled for 48 ours, including athletics and classes. Via Twitter, people were advised not to come to campus Tuesday.
Michigan State has about 50,000 students. East Lansing is about 90 miles northwest of Detroit.
The East Lansing High School auditorium, where a school board meeting was being held Monday night, was locked down and people were being prevented by police from leaving, the Lansing State Journal reported.
