Newsbreak: Gunman with history of mental illness kills three Michigan State University students and injures five others

Anthony McRae, 43, fatally shot three ,, State University students and critically wounded five others on Monday night. His father, Michael McRae, said Anthony hasn’t been the same since his mother died nearly three years ago. Michael McRae said Anthony stopped taking care of himself, quit his job, wouldn’t look for work, and spent all his time playing video games. Lansing police confirmed that McRae had a history of mental illness and was on probation until May 2021 for possessing a loaded, concealed gun without a permit, as reported by ABC7 News on February 16, 2023.

Investigators indicated that McRae had no connections to MSU, making the attack more puzzling. McRae turned the gun on himself and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a tip from the public led police to him. Four of the five wounded students needed surgery and are all in critical condition. The names of the three students who died had not been released as of Tuesday afternoon, based on a report by Fox News on February 16, 2023.

Law enforcement agencies provided security for a university campus with the help of flight restrictions imposed by the FAA until Wednesday. During a press conference, Dr. Denny Martin praised medical professionals for their hard work and dedication in treating wounded students.

Lansing police declined to provide details about the welfare check for McRae, citing that his history is part of the investigation. Michael McRae said he tried to take Anthony to church as a way to help, but he wouldn’t talk to him.