A gunman who opened fire at Michigan State University, killing three people and wounding five others, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after an hourslong manhunt.
Police said that shootings unfolded Monday night across an academic building and the student union on campus, as frightened students hid in classrooms and cars.
The suspect was found miles away from the East Lansing campus and appeared to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. He was identified by police as a 43-year-old man who was not affiliated with the university. His name was not immediately released and officials do not know why he targeted the campus.
"This truly has been a nightmare that we are living tonight," Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department, said during a news conference early Tuesday. An earlier shelter-in-place order was lifted, he said.
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Claire Papoulias, a sophomore at the school, was at a Cuban history class inside Berkey Hall Monday night when she heard the sound of gunshots behind her. Papoulias told NBC's "TODAY" show that she smelled the gun fire and immediately dropped to the ground.
"At that moment, I thought I was going to die," Papoulas said.
Papoulias said the shooter didn't say anything as he opened fire inside the classroom.
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"I'll never forget the screams of my classmates begging for help," she said.
Ted Zimbo told The Associated Press he was walking to his residence hall when he encountered a woman with a “ton of blood on her.”
“She told me, ‘Someone came in our classroom and started shooting,’” Zimbo told the AP. “Her hands were completely covered in blood. It was on her pants and her shoes. She said, ‘It’s my friend’s blood.’”
Rozman said two people were killed at Berkey Hall and another was killed at the MSU Union. Five people were wounded and taken to Sparrow Hospital where they remained in critical condition Tuesday morning.
Police received reports of a shooting at Berkey Hall at approximately 8:18 p.m. Then a second shooting was reported at the nearby student union, a popular gathering spot for students to eat or study.
Hundreds of officers from local, state and federal agencies responded to the school and scoured the East Lansing campus while students sheltered in place where they could.
During the manhunt, Aedan Kelley, a junior who lives a half-mile east of campus, said he locked his doors and covered his windows “just in case.” Sirens were constant, 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.”
Four hours after the first shots were reported, police announced the gunman's death.
“We have no idea why he came to campus to do this tonight. That is part of our ongoing investigation,” the deputy chief said.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she was briefed on the shooting, and that Michigan State Police are assisting with the active investigation.
Whitmer lamented the shooting as a "uniquely American problem."
Michigan State has about 50,000 students, including 19,000 who live on campus. All classes, sports and other activities were canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Interim university President Teresa Woodruff said it would be a time “to think and grieve and come together.”
“This Spartan community — this family — will come back together,” Woodruff said.
