Police encountered the 43-year-old suspect on a street several blocks off campus in Lansing when he fired the lethal shot, Michigan State University and Public Safety said.
"This truly has been a nightmare," Chris Rozman , MSU deputy police chief said. "As a father, I can only imagine what parents are feeling."
No motive has yet been determined, Rozman said, as the investigation was ongoing.
Rozman said investigators "have no idea why (the shooter) came to campus tonight." The suspect has no known affiliation with the university as he was not a student or worker at MSU, he added.
According to police, two individuals were shot and killed at Berkey Hall, one at MSU Union.
In addition to the three fatalities, at least five victims were transported to the hospital for their wounds, where they were reported to in critical condition. Investigators said some of those included life-threatening injuries.
Hundreds of police officers from local, state and federal agencies were seeing a lone gunman who opened fire in multiple locations, MSU campus police said.
All activities on campus are canceled for two days, including classes and sporting events.
MSU police said in the first briefing, noting information could be updated and change, said gunfire was first reported at 8:18 p.m. at Berkey Hall, followed shortly with gunfire reported at a a second location.
Police said some of the victims had life-threatening injuries.
The shelter-in-place order remained in effect, police said at 11 p.m.
Surveillance footage was shared to help identify and locate the gunman. The preliminary description was of a Black male, short in stature, wearing red shoes, a ball cap, and a jean jacket. Police said more details would be provided in a short time.
Earlier:
At 10:27 p.m. , MSU police said all campus actives were cancelled for two days.
"All campus activities are canceled for 48 hours, including athletics, classes, and all campus-related activities," MSU police said. "Please DO NOT come to campus tomorrow."
Just before 10 p.m. , MSU police tweeted a description the single suspect, saying, "The suspect description is a short male with a mask, possibly Black. Please continue to shelter in place. We are still receiving multiple calls of an active shooter on campus."
Michigan State Police asked via Twitter that people avoid traveling to the area.
"Please do not go to MSU right now. Yes, its hard to do when you have loved ones on campus or adjacent to the campus," the MSP said.. "But it is far too dangerous as this armed suspect is moving in the area and police attempt to take them into custody. As always scanner traffic is inaccurate."
And MSU police provided an update at 10:11 p.m. about victims and what areas on campus have been cleared.
"Victims are currently being transported to Sparrow Hospital ," MSU police said. " Brody Hall , Snyder/ Phillips Hall , Mason Hall , Abbot Hall , Landon Hall , the MSU Union , and Berkey Hall have all been cleared/secured."
At 8:30 p.m. Monday , students at the university received an urgent alert to shelter in place.
MSU Police and Public Safety tweeted that shots had been fired near Berkey Hall on the campus.
"Please secure-in-place immediately," the agency tweeted.
The FBI and Michigan State Police also have personnel on the campus to assist local police in their hunt for the suspect. Other law enforcement departments including the Bureau of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF),
Oakland County sheriff's deputies were among the law enforcement officers from across the region responding to assist.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer posted this message on Twitter about 9:30 p.m.
"I've been briefed on the shooting at Michigan State University . The Michigan State Police along with @msupolice, local law enforcement and first responders are on the ground. Let's wrap our arms around the Spartan community tonight. We will keep everyone updated as we learn more."
Video from the campus showed a large police presence.
Later, the MSU police tweeted, "There is another reported shooting at IM East. Police are responding. There are multiple reported injuries."
They followed with a report that "I(intramural) East is being secured. It appears there is only one suspect at this time."
They had said at 9:17 p.m. the "suspect is believed to be on foot right now. Community members on and off campus should continue to shelter in place."
The secure in place order included the message to be ready to "run, hide, fight."
The alert reads "Run means evacuate away from danger if you can do so safely, Hide means to secure-in-place, and Fight means protect yourself if no other option. Monitor msu.edu/emergency for information."
WDIV-TV reported one person was dead.
At 9:45 p.m. , MSU media relations said: "Shots have been fired at Michigan State University and police are warning of an active shooter. The incident occurred at 8:18 p.m. inside Berkey Hall. Police are actively working to secure the location. Suspect is still at large and believed to be on foot."
"All persons on campus and in neighboring community should immediately shelter in place and secure the room they are in."
The Associated Press reported: " The East Lansing High School auditorium, where a school board meeting was being held Monday night, was locked down and people were being prevented by police from leaving, the Lansing State Journal reported."
East Lansing Public Schools also will be closed Tuesday.
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