According to the university police, two students who were wounded in a fatal shooting incident last week at Michigan State University are still in critical condition as of Sunday.
The incident left three students dead and five others injured, causing the university community to be in shock.
As per the latest update from the university police on Twitter, two of the previously critical students are now in serious but stable condition, while the fifth person is in fair condition.
Although classes are set to resume on Monday, the rooms where the shooting took place will not be used, and those areas will remain closed for the rest of the semester, as announced by MSU Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Jeitschko during a news conference on Sunday.
During a news conference, Jeitschko stated that they have decided to resume campus activities, including classroom settings and regular work, starting from the next day.
However, he emphasized that the coming semester will not be normal, and they are aware of that.
According to Jeitschko, around 300 classes have been relocated to other parts of the university, and certain spaces previously used for lunches and seminars will now be used for teaching.
It is still unknown why the gunman, who had no known connections to MSU, targeted the university. Authorities reported that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and had a note threatening other shootings in New Jersey.
The funerals for two victims, Brian Fraser and Alexandria Verner, were held on Saturday, and the third victim, Arielle Anderson, will be buried in a few days, according to MSU interim President Teresa Woodruff.
She further stated that the university community continues to mourn the loss of the victims, and the faculty, staff, and students have shown tremendous strength and dignity during this challenging time.
The university officials hope that students can cope with the help of the staff and the community. Jeitschko stressed the importance of the community coming together, which he believes will help in the healing process.
For faculty and employees, the university has an employee assistance program, while counseling and psychiatric services are available for students.
If students face extenuating circumstances, advisers will be there to help, and faculty can coordinate with their department chairs, school directors, and deans, as per Jeitschko’s statement.
