Alexis Kestler
The video clip circulating on Followchain titled "Michigan State University Shooting Video" depicts a traumatic event that took place on February 14th, 2023. In this in-depth article, we‘ll explore this video – how it spread online, what it shows, and the shooting details that provide context around this viral content.
On that tragic night, multiple shootings occurred across the Michigan State University (MSU) campus in East Lansing. Let‘s start with some key facts about MSU. This prominent public research university was founded in 1855 and has over 50,000 students across 17 degree-granting colleges. It‘s ranked 80th nationally among universities by U.S. News and World Report. MSU is especially acclaimed for its programs in science, agriculture, engineering, law, nursing, and veterinary medicine.
The urban campus covers over 5,000 acres, with something for everyone – renowned athletics, 500+ student organizations, performing arts, major research facilities, and more. The school has several recognizable landmarks, like the Beaumont Tower, the Broad Art Museum designed by Zaha Hadid, and the sprawling Spartan Stadium that seats over 75,000 fans.
Chaos Unfolds on Campus – A Timeline
On the evening of February 14, 2023, the community was shattered by a shooting near Berkey Hall on the northeast side of campus. This classroom building houses the College of Social Science and has an enrollment of around 1,000 undergraduate students.
At 8:40 pm, MSU Police sent an alert over Twitter advising students to "secure-in-place immediately." Over the next few hours, the situation escalated quickly:
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9:16 pm – Police reported the suspect was on foot and advised sheltering in place.
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9:26 pm – Another shooting reported at IM East, a large recreational center. Multiple injuries resulted.
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9:34 pm – Police surrounded and secured IM East. They indicated there was likely a single suspect.
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9:56 pm – MSU Police shared the suspect was a short male wearing a jean jacket and baseball cap.
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10:10 pm – Victims were transported 2 miles away to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Multiple campus buildings cleared by police.
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10:46 pm – MSU Police announced a news conference at the Henry Center, about 2 miles south of central campus.
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11:18 pm – Photos of the suspect were shared, showing a Black male in a jean jacket and navy cap.
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11:36 pm – MSU Police confirmed 3 fatalities, along with 5 injured victims.
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12:28 am – Police announced the suspect was found dead off campus from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shelter-in-place order was lifted.
In 2020, there were around 250 shootings on school campuses across the United States resulting in 28 deaths and 107 injuries. The MSU tragedy was an unprecedented incident for the university and surrounding community.
The Shooting Video Appears Online
Amidst the chaos, video footage of the shooting‘s aftermath began circulating on social media. The video was posted on Twitter by @followchainlive – an account covering viral and trending content.
The graphic video shows at least one victim on the ground near Berkey Hall, with police rushing to the scene. The footage quickly spread across Twitter and other platforms. Videos and photos often emerge from witnesses during active shooter events.
While Twitter prohibits violent or gory content in its rules, there are exceptions for newsworthy events. As long as the media is marked “sensitive,” it is permitted within the public interest. Twitter enables users to mark tweets as “sensitive” under their account settings. This blurs the video preview and shows a warning before viewing.
Followchain Live features unfiltered trending videos and real-time coverage of major news events. They use an algorithm to surface content quickly gaining traction online. The account cited Michigan State University as trending in the accompanying tweet.
As a technology analyst, I study how digital content spreads. Video travels rapidly due to factors like emotional impact and novelty. Shooting footage prompts intense public interest, driving shares. Twitter‘s open nature enables raw access to events as they unfold. For better or worse, Followchain exploits this to highlight viral content in real-time.
Aftermath and Community Response
In the shooting‘s wake, Michigan State University canceled classes and events for two days. They discouraged students from coming to campus, instead offering support services remotely.
On February 15, an emotional vigil was held inside the Breslin Center arena. MSU President Teresa Woodruff addressed the tragedy‘s “unimaginable” grief and promised a thorough investigation. Counseling and crisis support were offered to students and faculty affected.
The Michigan State community will be picking up the pieces from this heartbreaking act of violence for a long time. But the solidarity and resilience displayed in the aftermath showcase the spirit of this 160-year-old institution.
The chilling video from that night provides merely a glimpse of the trauma and chaos experienced on campus. For those interested in learning more about the shooting details and timeline of events, follow MSU Police on Twitter for official updates. But beware of graphic content circulating online that may be disturbing. By examining the broader context around acts of violence, we can hope to make sense of the senseless, and work towards a more just and peaceful world.
