Michigan State shooting: Deceased suspect identified after three students killed

Police say suspect 'not affiliated in any way' with the university

This booking photo provided by Michigan Department of Corrections shows Anthony McRae, who allegedly killed three students and wounded five at Michigan State University. AP

Michigan State University has lifted a lockdown after a shooting left three students dead and five in critical condition on Monday night.

Two of the victims identified were Brian Fraser, a sophomore from Grosse-Pointe, and Alexandria Verner, a junior from Clawson. The third victim's identity was not released "with respect to the family's wishes", MSU police said.

"We sincerely ask the media and community members to respect the families’ privacy," police said in a news release.

President Joe Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden were praying for the victims.

"Our hearts are with these young victims and their families, the broader East Lansing and Lansing communities, and all Americans across the country grieving as the result of gun violence," he said in a statement.

The gunman, Anthony McRae, died of a "self-inflicted gunshot wound", MSU Police and Public Safety said. He "is not affiliated in any way with MSU", police said.

The motive behind the shooting remains unknown.

"We have absolutely no idea what the motive was," said Chris Rozman, Michigan State University Department of Public Safety's interim deputy chief.

A note was found on Mr McRae's body that indicated a threat to two schools in Ewing, New Jersey, the district's superintendent said.

"As the investigation continued, and out of an abundance of caution, the Ewing Public Schools were closed for the day," Superintendent David Gentile said.

Authorities urged people on campus to seek shelter soon after shots rang out at 8.30pm.

They later released images that showed the suspected killer wearing red shoes and a denim jacket and said that he was last seen leaving the campus union building immediately after the shooting.

Victims were admitted to Sparrow Hospital, some with “life-threatening injuries”, Mr Rozman said.

The university said all activities had been cancelled for 48 hours and advised students not to come to the campus.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson described the incident as “unfathomable”.

“Holding the entire university community in my heart,” Ms Benson said on Twitter. “This repetitive terror cannot continue. We must come together and do whatever it takes to protect our kids and communities from gun violence.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the university community "will mourn the loss of beautiful souls and pray for those fighting for their lives in the hospital".

The campus is one of the largest in the US by area and has more than 50,000 students, according to its website.

Reuters contributed to this report