Family, friends mourn Michigan State shooting victims: An aspiring pediatrician. 'Phenomenal daughter.' Beloved 'leader'

EAST LANSING, Mich. —  One student was a fraternity chapter president. Another was a science student with fond memories of her days as a high-school athlete — and the third was a frequent volunteer who wanted to become a pediatrician.

Family and friends mourned the deaths of three Michigan State University students killed in a Monday night shooting that critically wounded five others. Anthony Dwayne McRae, 43, the gunman with a previous gun violation, fatally shot himself hours later when police, alerted by a tipster who recognized the suspect in photos, confronted him about 5 miles away from the East Lansing campus.

“It’s just a senseless, unspeakable tragedy that’s impacting the Michigan State community, impacting the Grosse Pointe community and it’s just, it’s horrific,” Grosse Pointe Superintendent Jon Dean said.

Five victims of the shooting at Berkey Hall remained hospitalized in critical condition as of Tuesday afternoon, Michigan State University police said. Their names have not been released.

Here’s what we know about the three students who died.

Arielle Anderson, 19

Arielle Anderson, 19 and a sophomore at Michigan State University, was a bright, inspiring, and a humble young lady, April Davis, her maternal grandmother, said from her home where a small portion of Anderson’s large family gathered. She aspired to become a pediatric doctor.

“She’s kind, loving, caring, compassionate, driven,” and “very family oriented,” Davis said. Anderson stayed with her grandmother Saturday night and had her own room in Davis’ home.

Davis found out about the shooting when her daughter called to tell herTuesday morning.

Anderson graduated from Grosse Pointe North High School and was devoted to Davis’ daughter, who has special needs and is nonverbal.

As a young girl, Anderson told her grandmother that when she became a doctor she would take care of her aunt. Davis said Anderson spending time with her aunt may have opened her eyes to a career in medicine. 

“She just has so much passion … I just I’m still trying to grasp it,” Davis said. 

Kimella Spivey, an aunt, said Anderson was kind and respectful and wanted to help. She was involved in extracurricular programs, like working with senior citizens.

“This is so unbelievable. When does it stop? Really? I mean, it’s one after the other after the other. This school has been safe for so many years,” Spivey said.

Alexandria Verner, 20

Alexandria Verner was a junior who graduated from Clawson High School in 2020, the district said in a statement. She was studying forensics at Michigan State University. 

Clawson Public Schools Superintendent Billy Shellenbarger first met Verner when she was a kindergartener playing in the youth basketball program Shellenbarger founded. 

Shellenbarger watched her grow up and become an athlete who played basketball at Clawson High School and a dedicated student who achieved good grades.

“Her impact in our district and her impact in our community is so intense and so incredible that the loss really, really hurts a community like ours,” Shellenbarger said.

“She was certainly a phenomenal daughter, sister, friend, student, leader, student-athlete who truly walked the walk every day and modeled what high character and integrity and kindness was all about in a world where we’re void of that, obviously, right now.”

Verner’s Twitter bio says, “Can’t stop dreaming,” and features photos and videos from Clawson basketball and volleyball games.

Verner leaves behind a mom, dad, brother, and sister, Shell said.

Brian Fraser

Brian Fraser was a sophomore at Michigan State University and graduated from Grosse Pointe South High, according to police and his Facebook page.

By Tuesday afternoon, loved ones began leaving gifts on the Fraser family’s doorstep.

Fraser was also the president of Michigan State’s chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, according to a statement from the fraternity on Tuesday. The fraternity said its members were “heartbroken” over the loss of Fraser.

“Brian was our leader, and we loved him,” the fraternity said. “He cared deeply about his Phi Delt brothers, his family, Michigan State University, and Phi Delta Theta. We will greatly miss Brian and mourn his death deeply as our chapter supports each other during this difficult time.”

His family was still processing the sudden loss.

Micaela Fraser, Brian Fraser’s sister, told the Detroit Free Press Tuesday that their family isn’t ready to speak, but she doesn’t want her brother’s name forgotten. He was a light in their lives, she said.

Contributing: Lilly Altavena, John Wisely and Rachel Greco, USA TODAY Network; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Michigan State shooting victims remembered by family and community

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