Thousands gather at MSU's Rock to mourn for victims of mass shooting

EAST LANSING — Thousands of students, families, university staff and community members stood together on Michigan State University's campus in high winds Wednesday evening to remember the students injured and killed in Monday's mass shooting.

Many mourners wore the school colors green and white and laid flowers at the foot of the Sparty statue before they marched across the Red Cedar River to the Rock for a vigil to remember MSU students Brian Fraser of Grosse Pointe, Alexandria Verner of Clawson and Arielle Anderson of Harper Woods, who were killed by a gunman. Five other students are in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital. 

“To the families of those who were senselessly taken from us, words seem so hollow right now,” said MSU Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo. “To the individuals currently fighting for their lives in a hospital with their families, we’re praying for you.

“Although I’m also a father of two Spartans of my own, I can’t begin to imagine what all of you are going through. But I do know that we, as a campus community, can offer our support to you and to each other.”

A gunman killed two students at Berkey Hall Monday evening before moving across campus and killing another at the MSU Union. He was later found by police several miles from campus in North Lansing and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Sadwal Patel, a freshman and international student from India, was at a dining hall on the west side of campus when the shooting began. He ran back to his dorm room and brought two people nearby who live elsewhere on campus to shelter with him. For several hours the students texted friends and family while listening to police scanners. 

At the vigil, Patel said he was still processing the events. His parents in India continue to be concerned. When he came to study at an American university, Patel never thought anything like this would happen. 

He joined hundreds of his classmates and fellow Spartans to mourn.

“I’m a part of this community. It’s important to show my respect for those that lost their lives and pray for those who are critically injured,” Patel said. “I want to be a part of this.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other speakers called for an end to gun violence.

Rema Vassar, chairwoman of the MSU Board of Trustees, said she wasn’t there to make a gun violence argument. She said she will look to the global community of Spartans to help find a solution. 

She tasked mourners with two objectives: “love yourself” and “love one another.”

Anderson, Verner and Fraser were all remarkable people and students who will be missed by many, said MSU student body President Jo Kovach. 

Arielle wanted to become a doctor and spend her life helping people; Alexandria studied biology and her friends and family will remember her as one of the kindest people you could ever meet as well as a leader and a talented athlete; and Brian was the chapter president of the Michigan Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at MSU and is remembered as a terrific leader and a friend, Kovach said. 

“To my fellow students, my wonderful, amazing Spartans, it is OK to not be OK right now,” Kovach said. “This is our home and we went through the unimaginable. We lost three beautiful souls who we attend classes with, are friends with, are close with. Their absence on this campus and in this world will forever be felt.”

Lifeng Luo is a professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences and is the director of the Environmental Science and Policy Program in the College of Social Sciences, which is housed in Berkey Hall. 

Luo was at home at the time of the shooting, but he and other faculty sent numerous emails and messages to students trying to figure out where they were and whether they were safe. 

“The last couple days, we’ve got a lot of emails from the university leadership providing resources for faculty, staff and students," he said. “It’s been a very … things we did not expect to happen. I’m glad the community is coming together, but at the same time, we’re all so sorry for the young souls that we lost.”

Michigan State Police provided security for the event. MSU's police department thanked the state agency "for providing security for tonight’s vigil, so our officers were able to attend and take some time to grieve. We are all healing together."

Izzo ended his comments with thanks and a suggested task for each person who attended.

"I appreciate everybody being here," Izzo said. "And before you leave, I hope you meet the 10 people around you and become close. The world needs it. Michigan State needs it. The grieving time needs it. I need it."

Contact Mark Johnson at majohnson2@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByMarkJohnson.