Suspect at large after 3 people shot to death at Michigan State University

EAST LANSING, Michigan (AP) — US police said Monday that a man has shot dead three people and wounded at least five at Michigan State University.

The suspect remained at large Monday night. He was described as a short man with a jean jacket and ball cap, said Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department.

Rozman said hundreds of officers were on the East Lansing campus to maintain safety and catch the gunman.

Shootings occurred at two campus buildings and students were ordered to shelter in place.

“We are still receiving multiple calls of an active shooter on campus,” police said.

Authorities ordered students and staff to shelter in place after a report of shots fired shortly after 8:30 p.m. around Berkey Hall, an academic building, at the East Lansing campus.

The alert advised students and staff to “Secure-in-Place immediately” and to monitor alert.msu.edu for information.

By 10:15 p.m., police said Berkey, as well as nearby residence halls, were secured.

Separately, police reported a shooting at IM East, a recreational center for students.

Aedan Kelley, a junior who lives a half-mile (less than a kilometer) east of campus, said he locked his doors and covered his windows “just in case.”

Sirens were constant, he said, and a helicopter hovered overhead.

“It’s all very frightening,” Kelley said. “And then I have all these people texting me wondering if I’m OK, which is overwhelming.”

Authorities announced late Monday that all campus activities would be canceled for 48 hours, including athletics and classes. People were advised not to come to campus Tuesday.

Michigan State has about 50,000 students. East Lansing is about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.

The East Lansing High School auditorium, where a school board meeting was being held Monday night, was locked down and people were being prevented by police from leaving, the Lansing State Journal reported.