The man suspected of killing three Michigan State University students and critically injuring five more has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The 43-year-old suspect, who will not be named due to Daily Wire policy regarding mass shooters, had a previous 2019 conviction for possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle, for which he spent up to 18 months in state prison, The Detroit News reported. He was released from supervision in May 2021.
Police had also been called out to the suspect’s residence before because he would fire his gun out the back door, possibly for target practice, the News reported.
Police released photos of the suspect, a black male, on Monday night, The Daily Wire previously reported, and shortly after, a report came in of a person matching that description in the Lansing area, according to Chris Rozman, interim chief of the MSU Police and Public Safety Department. When police confronted the man, he reportedly shot himself. He died from his wound.
A neighbor, Megan Bender, had listened to a police scanner after the shooting and told the News she believed the suspect was on his way back to their neighborhood when he was confronted by police. She added that she was relieved he wasn’t able to return to the neighborhood.
Police retrieved one firearm from the suspect, but haven’t said if search warrants discovered any additional evidence at his residence.
Police still don’t know why the man traveled to the university and shot the students.
“That’s what we’re trying to understand ― is why this incident occurred,” Rozman said Tuesday morning, according to the News.
Rozman said Monday night that police received calls about an apparent shooting at MSU’s Berkey Hall around 8:18 p.m., followed by reports of a shooting at the school’s student union building. Just before midnight, MSU police announced that three people had died and five more had been injured in the shooting.
MSU police also announced Monday night that all campus-related activities would be canceled for 48 hours, including athletics and classes.
In a tweet, Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed sympathy for the community.
“Let’s wrap our arms around the Spartan community tonight. We will keep everyone updated as we learn more,” she wrote.
MSU Interim President Teresa Woodruff also spoke at a press conference on Tuesday morning, wiping away tears as she spoke about the tragedy.
“Together, we will come back more resilient than ever,” Woodruff said, according to the News, “and more ready to face what is needed in this society which is the courage of all of us to ensure this never happens again.”