Michigan: Shots at US university

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Use after the bloody crime at Michigan State University

Photo: Al Goldis/AP

The alleged perpetrator, who is said to have fired the fatal shots at Michigan State University, is a 43-year-old with no known connection to the university.

The investigators announced this at a press conference.

The man killed three people and injured five.

According to the New York Times, police said all of the victims were students.

According to a spokesman for the hospital, the condition of the injured remains critical.

The alleged perpetrator is dead. He is said to have shot himself.

“We have absolutely no idea what the motive was”

A note was found on the suspected shooter that indicated a threat to two schools in Ewing Township, New Jersey, the district said in a statement published online.

The public schools were closed for the day, but it was later determined that there was no threat.

The man has not lived in the area for several years.

The background to the bloody deed in Michigan is still unclear.

"We have absolutely no idea what the motive was," said Chris Rozman of the campus police.

The 43-year-old was neither a student nor an employee of the university.

According to the investigators, the first emergency calls were received by the police on Monday evening at 8:18 p.m.

A man opened fire in a hall of the university in the city of East Lansing - about 125 kilometers northwest of Detroit - and shot two people dead.

Another dead body was found about 400 meters away in the student union rooms.

Both buildings were open to the public.

»Run, hide, fight«

Due to the size of the campus, which, according to the university's website, covers more than 21 square kilometers, the police operation was a "monumental task".

Hundreds of security forces were deployed and several buildings were evacuated, the police said.

"Run, hide, fight," said the university's first warning to students and employees.

If possible, one should move away from the danger, otherwise entrench.

If both are not possible, one should defend oneself.

After the suspected shooter died, the warning was lifted and all courses and events on Tuesday and Wednesday were canceled.

According to the university, more than 50,000 people study there.

bbr/dpa/AP/Reuters