MSU victims described as innocent, quiet go-getters

One was a fraternity chapter president who played lacrosse and had an infectious smile. One was a soft-spoken shutterbug who got all A’s and was described as innocent. Another was a quiet go-getter who excelled at basketball and was going to become a forensic scientist.

They are the three students of Michigan State University who were fatally shot Monday night during a rampage at the school that police attributed to a 43-year-old Lansing man who then killed himself.

As others once again tried to make sense of the senseless during vigils Tuesday, the loved ones of Brian Fraser, Arielle Anderson and Alexandria Verner had a more excruciating task. They had to somehow find a way to say goodbye.

“In my opinion, she was just perfect,” said Tim Davis of Harper Woods.

Davis was talking about his niece, Anderson, 19, a sophomore, but, really, it could have been any friend or relative remembering any of the three students on Tuesday.

The victims were among eight MSU students shot in an academic building and social hall. The five who survived remained in critical condition Tuesday night at Sparrow Hospital, spokesman John Foren said.

They were shot by Anthony McRae, who then left the campus and, when confronted by police, fatally shot himself, authorities said.

What police don’t know is why McRae did the shootings. Police continue to search for a motive. They don’t know of any connection between McRae and the university or students.

But thoughts turned Tuesday night to the victims as vigils were held in Grosse Pointe and Clawson for two of the three fallen.

In Clawson, a story was read over the stadium loudspeaker on behalf of the Verner family.

“Al embodied everything that was great about humanity. She was telling, giving, selfless, so positive. We honored the path she walked of strength, passion, compassion. Let us not honor the narrative of last night but of the beauty of 20 years of life.”

In Grosse Pointe Farms, hundreds gathered to remember Fraser at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church. Community members, students from MSU, friends of Fraser and more gathered at the church to light hundreds of candles in honor of Fraser and the two others who died.

Nearly every attendee wept at some point during the service, which filled the church. Pastor James Bilot honored Fraser's faith and told the audience — nearly all in tears — that he trusted that Fraser's guardian angel was watching over him.

'A good kid'

Fraser, 20, played lacrosse at Grosse Pointe South High School and was remembered fondly by friends and family alike.

"He was a good kid," said his father, Sean Fraser. "He was loved by everyone."

At a vigil Tuesday night at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Father James Bilot said “there are so many layers to what is going on that there’s not one simple answer to any of the questions that we may have.

"So then it begs the question of why are we here? Simply, we’re here because we need to pray. We’re going to pray for Brian’s family. But we also need to remember Arielle’s family and Alexandria’s family, and all those who are grieving with them.”

Father Joseph Kirkconnell, who has known Fraser since he was in middle school, told the packed church that Fraser "was bright, he was involved, he was great to be around.”

In a Facebook post, the Grosse Pointe South Swimming and Diving team said it is "devastated by the loss of our former teammate and swimmer, Brian Fraser."

"Brian had an infectious smile and sense of humor that could light up the pool deck and bring laughter to the entire team," the post said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Fraser family."

Fraser also was the chapter president of the Michigan Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at MSU, according to a Facebook post by the national fraternity.

"As the leader of his chapter, Brian was a great friend to his Phi Delt brothers, the Greek community at Michigan State, and those he interacted with on campus," the post said. "Phi Delta Theta sends its deepest condolences to the Fraser family, the Michigan Beta Chapter, and all those who loved Brian as they mourn their loss."

St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church asked the community to pray for Fraser's family.

"Our St. Paul community tragically lost someone special and far too soon last night," the church said on its Facebook page. "Brian Fraser, class of 2017, is loved by everyone here and exemplified 'The St. Paul Difference.' In his time here ... his light shined bright with love, leadership and kindness in the classroom, athletics and within the St. Paul community. In an essay he wrote in eighth grade, Brian ended with this: 'Even though my friends and I are going our different ways, I will never forget them and the memories we shared at St. Paul.'”

Visitation for Fraser is from 3-8 p.m. at Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park. He will lie in repose at 9:30 a.m. before the 11 a.m. funeral Saturday at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.

'Just kind-hearted'

Anderson, 19, of Harper Woods was the other victim and alumna from the Grosse Pointes' school system, according to her uncle, Tim Davis of Harper Woods.

She was a graduate of Grosse Pointe North High School who took up photography as a hobby with him three years ago.

"Arielle was literally just kind-hearted," Davis said. "She was just sweet and innocent. She just stayed innocent her whole life. She was soft-spoken. Always helpful. She had great manners and was respectful. She was very smart, a straight-A student. I’m pretty sure you will hear that from everybody."

Her mother, Dawana Davis, noted her daughter's name is pronounced ARE-ee-el.

“She means the world to us. As much as we loved her, she loved us and others even more. She was passionate about helping her friends and family, assisting children and serving people," according to the family statement.

“Driven by her aspiration to tend to the health and welfare of others as a surgeon, she was working diligently to graduate from Michigan State University early to achieve her goals as quickly as possible. As an angel here on Earth, Arielle was sweet and loving with an infectious smile that was very contagious."

The family said while they appreciate the outpouring of love, support and prayers, they asked for privacy to grieve.

“We are absolutely devastated by this heinous act of violence upon her and many other innocent victims," the family stated.

Dawana Davis is a longtime employee of Comerica Bank, which added its own statement on social media: "Words cannot describe the heavy hearts that we have today after the tragic and horrific shootings that occurred last night on the campus of Michigan State University. To the family of the victims, witnesses, students, faculty, staff and residents affected by all of the events that unfolded last evening, we stand with you.”

Anderson was the niece of "Flavor of Love" reality star Chandra Davis, known on the show as Deelishis, according to Davis' social media posts. On Monday night, Deelishis posted a photo of Anderson on Instagram and asked for prayers because her niece "was in her classroom in the same building as the active shooter and we have not heard from her."

Chandra Davis later pinned a comment on that post from another relative that said: "My sweet beautiful niece … RIP baby girl."

'So sweet and genuine'

The third MSU student, Verner, is leaving behind "a happy loving legacy," Clawson leaders said Tuesday.

Verner, 20, was a junior at MSU studying integrated biology and anthropology. She was expected to graduate next year, according to her LinkedIn page.

She was a Clawson native and graduate from Clawson High School, where she was a triple threat, playing volleyball, softball and basketball. In 2019, her basketball skills made her standout and she was selected as an all-conference honoree.

"Alex was and is incredibly loved by everyone. She was a tremendous student, athlete, leader and exemplified kindness every day of her life," Clawson Public Schools Superintendent Billy Shellenbarger wrote in a Tuesday letter to parents in the district.

Community members amassed Tuesday night at the Clawson high school for Vernor, where they lined the mile markers of the high school football field toward the scoreboard, which read 20-20 Alex Verner in bright yellow lights.

Her two jerseys, Nos. 24 and 10, hung on a fence as candles that mourners used to light their own adorned them. Many wept, some crying out “We must push through” and “Not my kid.”

Many simply embraced one another.

“Al embodied everything that was great about humanity," Shellenbarger told the more than 200 people gathered. "She was telling, giving, selfless, so positive. We honored the path she walked of strength, passion, compassion. Let us not honor the narrative of last night but of the beauty of 20 years of life.”

Then, there were 24 seconds of silence in her honor, a tribute to her favorite number.

The superintendent added in a note to parents about the MSU shooting victims that Verner's father, Ted, sister, Charlotte, and brother, TJ, are "equally grieving but certainly already feeling the uplifting support of this tremendous community."

Her sister played on the same team as Alexandria for two years in high school.

Harriet Hall, 23, recalled Tuesday the two years she and Verner spent learning Japanese beside each other. She said while they didn't stay close, she hoped her friend is "resting easy."

"She was always so sweet and genuine," Hall said.

While in high school, the pair would leave in the afternoons to attend the Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts. There, several schools got together to take classes that weren’t offered at their own schools, Hall said.

"It was nice to be able to get to know other students from the schools around. But because of the nature of that school, to be able to be in those classes meant you were dedicated to your studies," said Hall, who recently graduated from Eastern Michigan University. "So she was definitely a go-getter, just in a quieter way. She had a really great smile and voice for sure."

After graduation, Verner forecasted in her Clawson High senior spotlight that she would be a forensic scientist. Her favorite moments, she noted, were any time she was smiling with her team. Her advice to underclassmen: "It's OK to feel tired or pressured from the busy schedule of being a student-athlete, but quitting will never make you feel better. Today may be hard, but tomorrow will be better."

Michael Frink, president of the Clawson Public Schools Board of Education, has known the Verner family for seven years and has served on the board with Ted Verner for the past six years.

"Alex is loved by all her teachers from preschool through high school," Frink said. "She was an active star in athletics, a great student. She loved volunteering and helping others, and left behind a happy loving legacy. The emotional outpouring from all who knew her has been overwhelming.”

The family has chosen not to set up a GoFundMe account. Instead, there will be an account opened for donations by the family and a scholarship fund opened in Verner's name. Information about how to donate has not been released yet.

kkozlowski@detroitnews.com

srahal@detroitnews.com