On Monday, Feb. 13, a shooting occurred at Michigan State University. A gunman opened fire, killed three people and wounded five, who are now in critical condition.
MSU sent an email alerting students to shelter or evacuate, as authorities searched for the shooter. After three hours the gunman was found by the police, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was not affiliated with the university, and authorities are unsure of his motives. Police said he may have planned to target schools in New Jersey based on a note found in his pocket.
MSU students smashed windows and helped each other jump out of the building. The school and local community held vigils for the victims.
The attack happened hours before the five-year anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, and marks the 67th mass shooting with four or more victims in 2023. There have been 12 school shootings this year alone, and MSU is the first at a college or university.
“Three lives have been lost, five seriously injured. And it’s a family’s worst nightmare. And it’s happening far too often in this country.” President Joe Biden said at a meeting with the National Association of Counties.
Earlier this month, IWU President Georgia Nugent sent an email to students, addressing gun violence in the U.S.
“The year 2023 has had an especially violent beginning, with more victims of mass shootings than there have been days in the year so far,” she said.
IWU also sent an email to students after the MSU shooting, offering condolences and support for students.
“On the heels of any campus violence, we are often asked about IWU preparedness for these types of events,” Dean Karla Carney-Hall said. “We have already been working to restore pre-COVID training around active shooter prevention and response for faculty and staff.”
IWU will hold campus violence training for faculty and staff on Monday, May 15, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.