Last Updated on February 14, 2023
The suspect in the Michigan State University mass shooting that left multiple students dead has been identified as Dwayne McRae, 43. McRae was found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds by police Monday night. The suspected gunman was not affiliated with the university and a motive has not yet been established.
In addition to the gunman, police have confirmed three additional fatalities and five who were critically injured as a result of the shooting. Police said two of the people killed were shot at the campus’s Berkey Hall, while the other was fatally shot at the Union Building.
The victims were later confirmed as Michigan State students by law enforcement.
According to online Michigan Department of Corrections records, McRae was previously convicted of a firearms charge dating back to 2019. Chris Gautz, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections, told the Detroit Free Press that McRae was caught by officers with a Ruger LCP .380 semi-automatic pistol in his pocket. He was later sentenced to probation only for the offense in 2019 and was “successfully discharged” in May 2021, Gautz said.
Authorities are still searching for a motive, as the suspected gunman had no affiliation with the university. During a midnight press conference on Tuesday, officials confirmed that McRae had contact with law enforcement before taking his own life.
“We have absolutely no idea what the motive was at this point,” Michigan State Police spokesman Chris Rozman said. Rozman added that a note was found on McRae’s body and is part of the investigation, though the contents of the note have not yet been disclosed.
Area schools did shut down Tuesday after the note reportedly contained threats to the area, though authorities have stated that there is no known threat at this time.
