Three students who died in a gun rampage at Michigan State University have been named, as heartbroken loved ones pay tribute to a promising trio whose young lives were cruelly snatched away.
Family and friends mourned the deaths of Alexandria Verner, Brian Fraser and Arielle Anderson, shot dead by 43-year-old gunman Anthony McRae, who then turned the gun on himself, on Monday night.
Brian was a fraternity chapter president, Alexandria was a science student with fond memories of her days as a high-school athlete and Arielle was a frequent volunteer who wanted to become a surgeon.
Five others were also critically injured during the shooting spree on the campus at Michigan State University.
It has also emerged that Arielle was the niece of celebrity Deelishis, star of the US reality show 'Flavor of Love'.
She initially wrote: "My beautiful niece @ariellediamond_ is a student at MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY… she was in her classroom in the same building as the active shooter and we have not heard from her."
And then later pinned the comment: "My sweet beautiful niece... RIP baby girl".
Arielle was a junior who graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School.
"As much as we loved her, she loved us and others even more," her family said in a statement. "She was passionate about helping her friends and family, assisting children and serving people." They described her as "sweet and loving," with an "infectious smile."
Arielle was aiming to graduate early from Michigan State, hoping to become a surgeon as quickly as possible, the statement said.
"We are absolutely devastated by this heinous act of violence upon her and many other innocent victims," her family added.
Also killed was Brian Fraser, a sophomore who attended Grosse Pointe South High School.
Fraser was president of Michigan State's chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which said in a statement Tuesday that its members were "heartbroken."
"Brian was our leader, and we loved him," the fraternity said. "He cared deeply about his Phi Delt brothers, his family, Michigan State University, and Phi Delta Theta. We will greatly miss Brian and mourn his death deeply as our chapter supports each other during this difficult time."
The third victim was Alexandria Verner, a junior from Clawson, whose LinkedIn profile said she was studying integrated biology and anthropology.
A 2020 graduate of Clawson High School, Alexandria "was and is incredibly loved by everyone," district Superintendent Billy Shellenbarger said in a statement Tuesday.
"She was a tremendous student, athlete, leader and exemplified kindness every day of her life," he stated.
"If you knew her, you loved her and we will forever remember the lasting impact she has had on all of us," Shellenbarger said, adding that Alexandria's parents, sister and brother were "grieving but are certainly already feeling the uplifting support of this tremendous community. "
Alexandria's Twitter bio says, "Can't stop dreaming," and features photos and videos from Clawson basketball and volleyball games.
Jon Dean, superintendent of the Grosse Pointe schools, mourned the loss of his district's former students in an open letter.
"I can't even process what I just wrote," Mr Dean said. "It is with a great deal of sadness that I bring this news to you and my thoughts go out to the many families that are suffering from another senseless act of violence."
