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'WTAF, America?' Outrage as Oxford High freshmen witness second shooting at Michigan State University in less than 2 years

Michigan State University shooting on January 13 came 14 months after a deadly mass shooting on November 30, 2021, at Oxford High School

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN: Three people have been reported dead and five injured after a gunman opened fire at Michigan State University on Monday night, January 13, at 8 pm Eastern time. MSU Police and Public Safety updated on Twitter by posting, "There are 3 confirmed fatalities. This is in addition to the 5 victims who have been transported to the hospital." Prior to this, they also released the images of the unidentified suspect, who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, sharing details that “the suspect is a Black male, shorter in stature, red shoes, jean jacket, wearing a baseball cap that is navy with a lighter brim.”

Following the shoot, many took to Twitter with one questioning, "More shootings and killings. 3 dead as of now at Michigan State. What’s going to happen here? Is everybody ultimately just gonna shoot everybody else vigilante style? WTAF, AMERICA??" Secretary of State of Michigan Jocelyn Benson wrote, "The collective grief, heartbreak & horror unfolding at Michigan State tonight is unfathomable. Holding the entire MSU community in my heart. This repetitive terror cannot continue. We must come together and do whatever it takes to protect our kids & communities from gun violence." While one of the students commented, "I go to Michigan State University, and this has been the scariest day of my life. Knowing that there is nothing I can do to help those who are injured hurts. It is so easy for anyone to do this on campus. My heart goes out to the families of the victims and I hope we can all heal."

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However, many pointed out an image, that made rounds on social media, saying, "Watching the @wxyzdetroit facebook live stream at MSU and one of the students just ushered out of a campus building by police is wearing an Oxford Strong sweatshirt. So sad & twisted that some of these students may possibly be witnessing their second school shooting."

What happened at Oxford High School?

The violence on January 13, 2023, came 14 months after a deadly mass shooting on November 30, 2021, at Oxford High School in Oakland County, Michigan, about 80 miles east of East Lansing, in which a 15-year-old student, Ethan Crumbley, opened fire with a semi-automatic pistol killing four students. In October 2022, Crumbley pleaded guilty to 24 counts including murder and terrorism charges in connection with the shooting, reports MLive. 

One of many was left angry saying, "There were literally kids who survived a school shooter at Oxford High School that are now at Michigan State trying to survive another school shooting. How many more times are we going to do this? How many?" Another said, "THIS ISN’T F**KING NORMAL. I’m so so so angry. Angry. Furious. Angry for the parents whose children graduated Oxford High School only to be LOCKED DOWN AGAIN in college. THIS ISN’T NORMAL!!! I want to make it stop!!!" While a person pointed out the viral image and wrote, "This kid's sweatshirt 'Oxford Strong' is from Oxford High School in Michigan (about an hour away), which had a deadly school shooting in Nov 2021. This could be this kid's second school shooting in less than 2 years."

'We deserve to grow old'

Many continued to point out, "Dozens of kids who attended Oxford High School last year are now freshmen at MSU. Within the span of one year they’ve experienced two mass shootings. Thoughts and prayers are not enough." While an individual wrote, "America, students who survived the shooting at Oxford High School 14 months and 2 weeks ago are going through their second mass shooting at Michigan State University tonight. Let that sink in. Two mass shootings in 14 months. We need change. We deserve to grow old."

Michigan’s gun laws

On the other hand, many stressed on the gun laws. One of them said, "3 people have officially lost their lives from the Michigan State University shooting. We can’t become numb to this. We can’t give up. We can’t allow this to be the new normal. We must continue fighting for gun reform & vote every elected official who fails to act out of office." Another said, "As a Michigan State University student, this evening has been nothing short of horrific. I send my love, protection, and justice to everyone. WE NEED GUN CONTROL NOW. #msustrong"

"A person must be at least 18 years of age to hunt with (possess) a handgun. Handguns cannot be borrowed or loaned to another person other than provided for under the concealed pistol license (CPL)," as per the Department of Natural Resources. Michigan’s gun laws do not "prohibit a person who has CPL to carry a weapon out in the open inside a school. But if one has a license to carry a concealed pistol they may carry it on their hip into a school," states Local 4.

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