Michigan State students hid anywhere they could when shots rang out Monday night, and chaos engulfed the campus and surrounding area as police searched the area for the shooter.
At least three people were killed and at least five others injured, according to the most recent update confirmed by police around midnight.
That doesn’t include the shooter, who police say committed suicide. “It was a senseless act of violence,” police said.
A senior on campus, whose name and location are withheld for the student’s protection, told Fox News Digital that the student was in a meeting with about 200 students when shots rang out.
Another senior, Ben Finkelstein, hid under his clothes and under his bed. Other students hid in their current locations on campus, others called other hideouts on campus.
“I’ve never been more afraid than now. I’m shaking,” Finkelstein told Fox News Digital. “I heard a helicopter, I think. But I heard two faint shots earlier when I didn’t have my headphones on.”
Another student barricaded himself in a hideout with classmates on campus while speaking to Fox News Digital.
SHOOTING AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LEAVES 3 DEAD AND 5 INJURED
First responders perform outside Berkey Hall on the Michigan State University campus, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
“I am in constant communication with my family, relatives and other MSU students and check in regularly to make sure they are safe,” one student told Fox News Digital. “Physically, I’m fine, but mentally, I’m so exhausted and absolutely terrified.”
This was just before midnight. They’ve been on edge since 8:33 p.m. when they received campus-wide notifications about the shooting.
The student said everyone they are with is safe, as of 12:20 a.m. Tuesday.
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“I have been preparing physically and mentally for a mass shooting since elementary school,” the student said. “It was never a question of if, but when. Being here and witnessing this is both terrifying and maddening.”
The student said that there are friends from whom they are still waiting for news.
“I’m still concerned for my safety and the safety of my friends and fellow Spartans as I get confirmation that people have died and are in critical condition. It honestly just doesn’t feel real.”
LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 13: Michigan State University students embrace during an active shooter situation on campus February 13, 2023 in Lansing, Michigan. Five people were shot and the gunman is still at large after the attack, according to published reports. Reports say that some of the victims have life-threatening injuries. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
The suspect, who was described as a short black man wearing black pants, a blue jacket and red shoes, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said at 12:30 a.m.
Police said he is believed to be the only shooter.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers from several different agencies were involved in the search for the suspect on MSU’s 5,200-acre campus.
Emergency personnel respond to a shooting at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, U.S., February 13, 2023. REUTERS/Dieu-Nalio Chery
The shooting began at 8:18 p.m. inside Berkey Hall, which houses the MSU Department of Sociology on the northern edge of campus.
The school sent out a shelter-in-place order at 8:31 p.m., telling students to stay inside and barricade themselves.
“Run, hide, fight,” MSU said in the alert. “Running means running away from danger if you can do it safely, Hide means staying safely in place, and Fighting means protecting yourself if there is no other option.”
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Michigan State University has an enrollment of over 50,000 students and is located in East Lansing.
Fox News’ Paul Best contributed to this report.
