Hundreds of flowers overflow from the base of the Spartan Statue as campus opens back up for the first day of classes on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 at Michigan State University Jake May, Associated Press
Hundreds of flowers overflow from the base of the Spartan Statue as campus opens back up for the first day of classes on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 at Michigan State University Jake May, Associated Press
One year ago, Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser and Alex Verner were happy, ambitious students at Michigan State University.
Everything changed shortly after 8 p.m. Feb. 13, 2023, when a man brought a gun to campus and started shooting in a Berkey Hall classroom and then moved to the MSU Union before taking his own life. Anderson, Fraser and Verner died; five others were severely wounded.
That night forever altered countless lives.
A year later, families and friends of Anderson, Fraser and Verner spoke about the tragedy at length for the first time, and shared with The Detroit News some of their most intimate moments after their loved ones' lives were cut short.
As they cope with their grief, many are working for change so others don't have to face what they have to live with every day. They are also finding ways to keep their loved ones' memories alive.
In the words of Verner's older brother, it's important to remember his sister, along with Fraser and Anderson, for the individuals they were — not just as victims of a mass shooting.
Said TJ Verner, 22, of Clawson: "She was a lot more than that night."
kkozlowski@detroitnews.com