Big Ten Conference releases statement on tragic shooting at Michigan State

The Big Ten has released a statement in the wake of the tragic shooting on Michigan State’s campus. Three students were killed and five more were wounded Monday night.

As a result of the incident, Michigan State announced all on-campus events — including Wednesday’s game between the Spartans and Minnesota — have been canceled. Classes also have been canceled through Monday, officials announced Tuesday.

“The Big Ten Conference has been in consistent contact with campus leaders at Michigan State University throughout last night and this morning,” the statement read. “The entire conference is holding the Spartan community close to our hearts as we all try to comprehend these senseless acts of violence.

“We send our deepest condolences to the families who are grieving the tragic loss of their loved ones, and we are praying for complete recovery for those who were injured and remain at Sparrow Hospital. As we await more information, the conference will continue to support Michigan State University and its community in every way possible in their efforts to heal.”

Students were alerted about the shooting via a message from the school around 8:30 p.m. ET urging them to stay in place and to run, hide and fight. Shots were reported by MSU police near Berkey Hall and officials said the shooter was on foot.

The alleged shooter was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound early Tuesday morning. He was not affiliated with the university, according to officials. Police are still investigating a possible motive, Michigan State’s interim police chief Chris Rozman.

“We are unsure of any affiliation that the suspect had to the university,” Rozman said. “Our investigators and officers are still working to determine his identity.

“We have absolutely no information right now on what the motive is, and I can’t even begin to imagine what that motive will be. That will be part of our investigation and that will be a question that lingers on everybody’s mind, but at this time we have no idea.

“We have not received any threats to campus in the last several days or before this incident. To my knowledge, we were not aware of any threat before this.”