MSU Shooting: Accused Gunman Had Note Threatening N.J. Schools
By Jessica Schladebeck
Source New York Daily News
Anthony McRae, the man suspected of shooting eight students at Michigan State University Monday night, had a note in his pocket threatening two schools in New Jersey, police said.
All public schools across Ewing Township were closed Tuesday out of an of “an abundance of caution.” The decision came after local authorities were alerted about “a mass shooting incident” which “had a possible connection to Ewing, New Jersey,” according to the Ewing Police Department.
Three students were killed and five more were wounded during a violent rampage at Michigan State University Monday night. Police said McRae opened fire inside an academic building and then the student union shortly before 8:30 p.m. He managed to evade authorities for hours, until a tipster recognized him from a photo released by law enforcement and then reported him just before midnight.
Police confronted McRae about 5 miles from campus in an industrial area, where he killed himself, said Chris Rozman, deputy chief of campus police. Tucked inside his pocket was a note indicating a potential threat for two schools in Ewing.
“After further investigation, it has been determined the incident is isolated to Michigan, and that there is no threat to Ewing schools,” according to police. “Information received during our investigation indicated that McRae has not lived in the Ewing area for several years.”
Authorities also noted the 43-year-old had a history of mental health issues.
In nearby Trenton, police said officers will be posted at schools throughout the day.
“The Trenton Police Department’s Director learned that the alleged threat is not specific to schools in our district; however, additional officers will be patrolling schools throughout the day,” police said.
Authorities are still working to determine a motive for the mass shooting at Michigan State University. Rozman said McRae was not a student or employee at the university in East Lansing, which is about 90 miles outside of Detroit.
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