News Release: Investigative updates on Feb. 13 shooting
April 27, 2023
***Please be aware the following information may be disturbing or difficult to read***
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS) today is sharing several updates regarding the shooting that occurred on campus on Feb. 13.
“Since the violence our community experienced took place, MSU Police and Public Safety has been committed to sharing as much information as we can as we are able,” said Chief of Police Chris Rozman. “Our detectives have been working tirelessly on this investigation and I am proud of the work they have and continue to put forward.”
It is important to note the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, it will be submitted to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Please see below an expanded timeline for Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, the shooter’s route once he left campus, information about the weapons found on the shooter, a conclusion on the shooter’s motive, and other findings of the ongoing investigation.
Expanded Timeline for Feb. 13 – Feb. 14, 2023
Through the department’s investigative findings to date, MSU Police and Public Safety has established a detailed timeline for Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, 2023. The timeline begins when the shooter, Anthony McRae, 43, was first noted on campus.
Important note: The times labeled with a (*) were learned throughout the course of the investigation and were not known by law enforcement on the night of the shooting.
*7:19 p.m. – McRae exits bus at Grand River/Berkey Hall bus stop
*7:24 p.m. – McRae walks eastbound on Grand River Ave in front of Broad Art Museum
*7:26 p.m. – McRae walks northeast across Grand River Ave
*8:12 p.m. – McRae walks westbound in front of Broad Art Museum
8:18 p.m. – First shots fired call at Berkey Hall received by Ingham County 911
8:19 p.m. – Officers dispatched to Berkey Hall by Ingham County 911
*8:19 p.m. – McRae is seen walking westbound along Grand River Ave in front of Ramp 6
8:20 p.m. – First officers arrive at Berkey Hall
*8:23 p.m. – McRae fires one shot while walking from Berkey to the Union
*8:24 p.m. – McRae enters the Union
8:26 p.m. – First report of shooting at the Union
*8:26 p.m. – McRae exits the Union and leaves campus
8:27 p.m. – Officers dispatched to the Union by Ingham County 911
8:27 p.m. – Officers arrive at the Union
8:30 p.m. – First MSU Alert sent, instructions given to shelter-in-place
8:31 p.m. – Second MSU Alert sent, instructions given to shelter-in-place
*9:14 p.m. – Person matching description is seen walking northbound on Harrison near Grand River Ave
10:04 p.m. – MSU Alert sent, suspect description given
10:54 p.m. – MSU Alert sent, instructions to monitor alert.msu.edu for more information
11:02 p.m. – First news conference takes place
11:18 p.m. – Photo of McRae shared on MSU DPPS social media
11:33 p.m. – MSU Alert sent, more descriptive suspect description given
11:35 p.m. – Ingham County 911 receives call of person matching the description walking on Lake Lansing Rd near High St in the City of Lansing
11:49 p.m. – Officers approach person matching description and he completes suicide with a gun
12:20 a.m. – MSU DPPS confirms the deceased person matching description as McRae with the public
12:25 a.m. – Second news conference takes place
12:27 a.m. —MSU Alert sent, shelter-in-place lifted
12:28 a.m. — MSU DPPS posts to social media that shelter-in-place is lifted
1:07 a.m. – MSU Alert sent, bus service information for reunification center
1:35 a.m. – Third news conference takes place
8:02 a.m. – Fourth news conference takes place
12:12 p.m. – News release disseminated
McRae’s route after shooting
After receiving numerous tips from community members and reviewing footage from surveillance cameras, MSU DPPS has detailed a map showing the nearly five-mile route that Anthony McRae walked once he left campus on the night of Feb. 13, 2023. Please see the map below.
Please note that this map is our best attempt at determining the route based on various sources. It does not depict any slight deviations that account for McRae evading law enforcement and first responders.
Weapon information
Through the department’s investigation, we have obtained information regarding the weapons found on McRae at the time of his death. Two weapons were found on McRae, including a Hi-Point C-9 9mm handgun, purchased Sept. 7, 2021, and a Taurus G3 9mm handgun, purchased Oct. 5, 2021. McRae used a Michigan Identification Card and a Social Security Card to purchase the handguns. The handguns were legally purchased, but not registered. Evidence concludes that McRae only used the Taurus handgun on the night of Feb. 13, 2023. The Taurus was loaded with 13 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber at the time it was recovered after McRae’s death. The Hi-Point was loaded with 9 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber at the time it was recovered. One extra loaded magazine for the Taurus was recovered in the chest pocket of his coat. Ten extra magazines for the Hi-Point were recovered in his backpack. McRae also had 136 rounds of loose ammunition in his backpack when he was located. The ammunition in all the magazines was consistent with 9mm ammunition purchased by McRae on Feb. 13, 2023, at 4:46 p.m. 14 bullet casings were found in Berkey Hall and 3 bullet casings were found in the Union. Investigation findings have also determined that one bullet casing was found outside of the Human Ecology Building. It is believed that McRae fired one shot outside while walking from Berkey Hall to the Union.
Motive conclusion
Based on investigation findings, it has been preliminarily determined that there is no conclusive motive as to why McRae targeted Michigan State University. McRae did not have any personal or professional connection to the University and did not apply to the University for employment in recent history. Investigators have determined that the note found on McRae at the time of his death provides the most information about his state of mind at the time of the shooting. You can view the note here.
Investigators have completed the search into McRae’s electronic devices. It is still believed that he acted alone in the shooting.
Other findings
- McRae’s blood alcohol level was .04% at time of death; he also had THC in his system
- No other weapons were found at McRae’s residence
- MSU DPPS processed 128 tips since Feb. 13 that were received through email, phone, the media, etc. The follow-up on these tips was completed and verified by MSU DPPS in partnership with the FBI, the Michigan Department of Attorney General, the East Lansing Police Department, and the Michigan State Police
MSU DPPS would like to sincerely thank the community for their active efforts in reporting tips that contributed to this investigation. In addition, the department would like to emphasize that a caller’s tip is what led officers to locate McRae on the night of Feb. 13.
MSU DPPS is continuing to investigate this incident and will provide additional updates as the department is able.
“MSU Police and Public Safety is committed to working together with our community to ensure a safe campus for everyone,” said Rozman. “We are always available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will continue to heal together as a community and remain Spartan strong.”
Recognizing this update may be difficult for those within the MSU campus community and beyond, on-campus resources are listed below. It’s important to remember that the grief some individuals may be experiencing is normal and there are several ways in which individuals can seek support, including talking with friends, family and colleagues to process.
- MSU Student Health Services
- General info: 517-884-6526; Nurse on-call: 517-353-9165
- MSU Employee Assistance Program
- EAP is a confidential, free counseling service for employees: 517-355-4506, eap@msu.edu.
- Counseling and Psychiatry Services
- CAPS is the place for students seeking help for a wide range of health concerns.
- MSU Department of Psychiatry
- Psychiatry Clinic: 517-353-3070
MSU continues to stand together as a community and support one another during this difficult time.
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Contact:
Dana Whyte, Communications Manager and Spokesperson, Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety
Chris Rozman, Chief of Police, Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety