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Shooting At Michigan State University Kills At Least 5 People

The suspect was described as a short man with a jean jacket and ball cap, said Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department.

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Armed police officers with weapons drawn rush into Phillips Hall at Michigan State University.
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A man shot at least five people Monday night at Michigan State University and remained at large as hundreds of officers searched for him and tried to, police said.

The suspect was described as a short man with a jean jacket and ball cap, said Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department.

Rozman said hundreds of officers were on the East Lansing campus to maintain safety and catch the gunman. 

Students were ordered to continue sheltering in place. Shootings occurred at two campus buildings

On Twitter, university police said there appeared to be only one suspect, described as a “short male with a mask” and still at large.

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"We are still receiving multiple calls of an active shooter on campus,” police said.

At least five victims were at Sparrow Hospital, said hospital spokesperson John Foren, who had no information on their conditions.

Authorities ordered students and staff to shelter in place after a report of shots fired shortly after 8:30 p.m. around Berkey Hall, an academic building, at the East Lansing campus.

The alert advised students and staff to “Secure-in-Place immediately" and to monitor alert.msu.edu for information.

By 10:15 p.m., police said Berkey, as well as nearby residence halls, were secured.

Separately, police reported a shooting at IM East, a recreational center for students. 

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Aedan Kelley, a junior who lives a half-mile (less than a kilometer) east of campus, said he locked his doors and covered his windows “just in case.” Sirens were constant, he said, and a helicopter hovered overhead.

"It's all very frightening," Kelley said. “And then I have all these people texting me wondering if I'm OK, which is overwhelming.”

Authorities announced late Monday that all campus activities would be canceled for 48 hours, including athletics and classes. Via Twitter, people were advised not to come to campus Tuesday.

Michigan State has about 50,000 students. East Lansing is about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.

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. 

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