Mother notices son is sweaty — then she makes grisly discovery on her property that makes her cry out, 'What have you done?'



Authorities caught a registered sex offender from Texas on Saturday after an intense and massive manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies. As it turns out, the suspect's parents tipped off authorities after his mother made a horrifying discovery on her property.

The mother told deputies with the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office that she walked out of her home and noticed her son standing looking “very sweaty,” as reported by KWTX-TV.

'This guy who we believe committed this horrible and brutal murder was sentenced to 40 years. He served approximately 10 years, was paroled out, and then committed this horrible crime. He never should have gotten out, but he did.'

The woman said she attempted to walk around her son — 36-year-old Richard Tanner Ozment — but he stood in her way. The mother claimed she had to push him out of her way.

But that was far from the worst of it.

The affidavit states that the woman spotted a human foot behind a recreational vehicle on her property in China Springs. As the mother walked to the area behind the RV, she reportedly discovered a severely wounded woman.

According to court documents, the mother asked Ozment, “What have you done?”

He reportedly replied, “She tried to stab me.”

The mother frantically ran inside her home, and Ozment’s father called 911.

China Spring firefighters were the first to arrive at the grisly crime scene and noticed a man running away from the home.

First responders treated 38-year-old Michaela Brooker, who was suffering from “extensive injuries, mainly, to her head,” according to the affidavit. Brooker was airlifted to a hospital where she was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said Ozment used a machete-like weapon to kill Brooker.

By the time police arrived, Ozment had fled the crime scene.

Law enforcement assembled a major manhunt to track down Ozment, which included the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT Team, the Waco Police Department’s K9 unit and drone support, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice Tracking K9.

Roughly 10 hours later, deputies riding on horseback and accompanied by K9s tracked down Ozment. He reportedly was hiding in a stock tank about a football field away from the bloody crime scene.

McNamara said he believed Brooker’s murder arose from a “domestic disturbance” but did not reveal the exact relationship between the victim and Ozment.

Ozment was charged with murder and is being held at the McLennan County Jail on a $1 million bond.

“This is one of the most horrific, brutal, and senseless attacks that we have seen in a long time,” McNamara said, “It never should have happened. This guy who we believe committed this horrible and brutal murder was sentenced to 40 years. He served approximately 10 years, was paroled out, and then committed this horrible crime. He never should have gotten out, but he did.”

A Waco Tribune-Herald article published in March 2015 reported that Ozment, then 26 years old, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to burglarizing five area churches and two homes.

The outlet noted, "The charges against Ozment were enhanced to first-degree felonies because of a juvenile adjudication for aggravated sexual assault in 2004 and a felony terroristic threat conviction in 2007."

In 2013, Ozment was arrested after complaints that he was taking pictures outside China Spring Elementary School. While in custody, authorities discovered Ozment was not in compliance with sex offender registration requirements.

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Former MTV star arrested for grooming in Florida after nationwide manhunt initiated over a year ago in Illinois



Following a nationwide manhunt that was initiated in Illinois and lasted more than a year, a former MTV star has been arrested in Florida for child sex crime accusations.

On Thursday afternoon, law enforcement tracked down Connor Smith at a residence in Clearwater, Florida.

Smith, 33, was arrested by officers with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on an open warrant originating from Lake County, Illinois. The warrant was issued in February 2023.

Smith, from Orland Park, Illinois, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail – where he is being held without bond. Smith is awaiting extradition to Illinois.

As Blaze News previously reported, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced that detectives obtained a nationwide arrest warrant for Smith.

The former MTV star was accused of committing three felonies: traveling to meet a minor, grooming, and disseminating harmful material.

Authorities said Smith attempted to groom a girl under the age of 15 and meet her for sex in Illinois.

Smith communicated with someone who he believed was a girl under the age of 15 for several weeks, according to police. However, the girl was actually an undercover detective.

The catfish was part of an undercover sting to catch child predators that was executed by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division in collaboration with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Smith reportedly sent the "girl" sexually explicit photos and videos of himself.

Smith allegedly attempted to meet the "child" for sex on Feb. 9, 2023. When Smith went to visit the "girl," detectives attempted to arrest him, but he was able to escape the authorities.

In December 2021, Smith was arrested for an alleged rape and assault of a 16-year-old girl in Indiana. Smith was charged with felony rape, sexual battery, and two counts of criminal confinement.

However, the charges were dropped after the alleged victim stopped cooperating with investigators and prosecutors said they didn't have enough evidence to convict him.

Smith's claim to fame is appearing on the third season of the MTV reality series "Are You The One?" in 2015. The dating show features single contestants competing to find their perfect match.

Smith found his "perfect match," but the couple split up after filming the reality TV show.

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Teen makes grisly find of mother's body stuffed in duffle bag; multi-state manhunt launched to nab squatters in alleged murder



Two squatters are suspected of carrying out a brutal murder of a woman in New York City, according to police. A multi-state manhunt has been launched to catch the suspected killers.

Nadia Vitel flew from Spain to New York City to prep the Manhattan apartment of her late mother so a family friend could move in, according to the New York Post. Vitel's mother passed away months ago, and her apartment had been vacant for about three to four months.

Investigators say Vitel went to her mother's apartment and was ambushed by two squatters living inside the unit. The suspects — a man and a woman — allegedly threw Vitel into a sheetrock wall.

"We believe that some squatters took the apartment over and this woman came home ... and walked in on the squatters that were there," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

Kenny noted that the apartment in the Kips Bay neighborhood is "upscale."

"The apartment itself is very unique in that there’s no front door to apartment. You take an elevator up and then you key your way in. The elevator is actually your front door,” Kenny stated.

Paramedics pronounced Vitel dead at the scene.

The suspects allegedly stole Vitel's Lexus and drove to New Jersey and then Pennsylvania. Police located the crashed Lexus in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Vitel's teen son became worried about his mother after not hearing from his mother for two days and went to his grandmother's apartment on March 14. He believed his mother was at the apartment because they tracked each other's locations via a cellphone app.

Michael Medvedev, 19, went to the apartment with the building's superintendent and family members. Suddenly, the son made a grisly discovery.

Kenny explained, "As they’re getting ready to leave, the son opens up the closet door near the front door and discovers the duffel bag with a foot sticking out."

Inside the duffle bag was the dead body of Medvedev's mother.

Jean Pompee, the building's superintendent, told WCBS-TV, "The male pointed to the closet, he said he believed that there's a body in the bag. And all of her clothes were down, so you really couldn't see the bag. You could see partially, a little bit."

Officials said Vitel died from blunt force trauma to the head, suffered multiple facial fractures, a brain bleed, and two broken ribs.

A multi-state manhunt is underway to find the squatter suspects.

Police said the suspects visited several car dealerships in Pennsylvania after wrecking the Lexus and attempted to purchase a new vehicle for $1,000.

The NYPD said the suspects are a man and woman in their 20s. One of the squatters allegedly has a prior arrest.

"As of right now, we have probable cause, we have two subjects, we have the Regional Fugitive Task Force actively hunting as we speak,” Kenny said.

Squatters suspected of murder in luxury NYC building, putting woman in duffle bag | NBC New York www.youtube.com

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1 dead, 5 injured in shooting at Indianapolis bar, suspect is on the loose



A person is dead and five others were injured from a shooting at a bar in Indianapolis early Saturday morning, according to police.

The shooting happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Saturday at a bar in the Broad Ripple neighborhood of Indianapolis. Officers in the area responded quickly after hearing gunshots being fired. However, the gunman had already fled the crime scene by the time officers got to the bar. Police administered first aid to the victims.

Indianapolis Metro Police Department Commander Matthew Thomas confirmed the death and the injuries that occurred at the Landsharks bar and nightclub.

The fatal shooting victim was rushed to a local hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.

The Marion County Coroner's Office will release the deceased victim's name once his family has been notified of his death.

One of the shooting victims drove himself to the hospital.

The hospitalized shooting victims are said to be in stable condition.

All of the victims in the Indianapolis shooting were men.

Police do not have any suspects in custody as of Saturday morning.

Thomas declared, "Violence in our community is absolutely unacceptable."

"Deeply disturbed by the tragic incident early this morning that resulted in one life lost and others injured. Proud of the of the good work done by IMPD officers who responded quickly and provided aid. This morning, detectives continue to actively investigate, "stated Chris Bailey – Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

WTHR reported, "IMPD said they have not yet located a suspect, but are working to interview witnesses and review video that was recorded by cameras in the area."

Police did not immediately share the circumstances or motive of the shooting. Authorities have yet to provide a description of the suspect or suspects.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call IMPD Detective Steven Gray at 317-327-3475 or by email at Steven.Gray@indy.gov. Tips can also be made anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS.

Last month, one woman was killed and five others were wounded from a shooting at a Waffle House on the west side of Indianapolis.

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Shooting at Broad Ripple bar in Indy leaves 1 dead, 5 wounded www.youtube.com

Maine massacre suspect may have escaped in a boat; US Coast Guard joins the hunt



The U.S. Coast Guard joined the hunt for the prime suspect in the Lewiston, Maine, massacre after his car was found near a boat launch on the Androscoggin River, roughly 10 miles away from where 18 people were fatally shot and 13 were left grievously wounded.

The Lisbon Police Department discovered the 40-year-old suspect's white Subaru Wednesday just before 10 p.m. at the Pejepscot Boat Launch in Lisbon.

The suspect is believed to own at least two means of traveling upriver to Merrymeeting Bay and thence to the Kennebec River: a 15-foot Bayliner boat, which is now unaccounted for, and a 2019 Sea-Doo personal watercraft, reported the Messenger.

As of Thursday evening, a Coast Guard vessel with a five-man crew was patrolling the Kennebec River, which could ultimately take the suspect to at least Moosehead Lake, some 170 miles away.

Chief Petty Officer Ryan Smith, the officer in charge of Station Boothbay Harbor, told the Messsenger the Coast Guard crew is searching the entire river for the suspect, who authorities noted is "armed and dangerous." However, the crew was focusing in particular on the northern shore of the waterway, closer to the Androscoggin River.

The Daily Mail reported that earlier Thursday, Maine State Police aircraft also scoured parts of the area in search of the suspect.

Rick Gadden, a longtime neighbor of the suspect, told the Daily Mail, "If he can do that to innocent people there is obviously a chance he can come get us. ... He knows this area like the back of his hand; if he doesn't want to be found he won't. He's a hunter."

Richard Goddard, familiar with the suspect's family, told the Messenger, "This is his stomping ground. He grew up here. He knows every ledge to hide behind, every thicket," referencing Bowdoin, one of the areas where police were searching.

The suspected shooter is an Army reservist with an active military ID who recently lost his job at a recycling center. Documents reportedly circulated by law enforcement indicate the suspect was committed to a mental asylum for two weeks this summer and had reported "hearing voices and threats to shoot up" a military base.

Robert Louden, a retired chief hostage negotiator for the New York Police Department, suggested to NBC News that "from that parking area where he dumped his car, there's four distinct possibilities: He killed himself. He got on a boat and went down that little river that’s there. He went into another car or motorcycle or something that was waiting for him. Or there's a hiking trail. He could be in the woods someplace."

The Maine State Police indicated that as of noontime Thursday, over 350 law enforcement personnel from all over the state were involved in the search for the suspect.

The FBI and the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit are also attempting to locate the shooter, reported Fox News Digital.

Facing the prospect of an attempt on the part of the suspect to escape into Canada, authorities in the northern nation, which shares 18 official entry points with Maine, have issued an "Armed & Dangerous – Firearms lookout" alert, reported Newsweek.

Canadian police in the province of New Brunswick, which borders Maine, are also monitoring the situation. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police indicated they are "aware of the situation in Maine, and we are continuing to monitor it in collaboration with our law enforcement partners."

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Manhunt under way for Nashville police chief's 'estranged' rapist son, who is suspected of shooting two officers



Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake's estranged son is suspected of shooting two cops outside a Dollar General store on Saturday. A manhunt is now under way for 38-year-old John C. Drake Jr., whom the La Vergne Police Department has indicated is considered armed and dangerous.

The MNP chief stressed that his son "needs to be found and held accountable."

According to the LVPD, the shooting occurred at 2:23 p.m. in La Vergne, Tennessee. Officers were investigating a report of a possible stolen vehicle when they encountered the suspect outside a Dollar General. The encounter went sideways, resulting in a physical struggle. The suspect ultimately pulled a handgun and shot officers Ashley Boleyjack and Gregory Kern.

One officer was struck in the rear left shoulder. The other was hit in the right groin. Both officers were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and are now in stable condition.

Following the shooting and until midnight Saturday, the LVPD advised residents to shelter in place.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide Blue Alert for Drake Jr., noting he is wanted for two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

— (@)

Drake Jr. appears to have an extensive criminal record, having been hit with nearly 60 criminal charges in Davidson County since 2005. He has been convicted of numerous crimes, including aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, rape, multiple sex offender registration violations, and felony strangulation.

The MNP chief said in a statement Saturday, "I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn that my estranged son, with whom I have had very minimal contact over many years, is the suspect in this afternoon's shooting of the two La Vergne police officers. My thoughts and prayers are with the two officers, who I understand are now in stable condition at Vanderbilt."

"Despite my efforts and guidance in the early and teenage years, my son, John Drake Jr., now 38 years old, resorted to years of criminal activity and is a convicted felon," continued Chief Drake. "He has not been a part of my life for quite some time. He now needs to be found and held accountable for his actions today. I hope that anyone who sees him or has information about him will contact law enforcement immediately."

The Tennessean indicated that Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell has reiterated his support for Chief Drake in the aftermath of the shooting.

"My heart goes out to Chief Drake, his family, and the two wounded LaVergne police officers. I know that despite our best efforts — including in their early years — we can’t be responsible for the choices of family members," O'Connell said in a statement. "I support Chief Drake and stand by him at this difficult time."

Chief Drake previously made headlines for doubling down on his support for gun control after a female transvestite LGBT activist slaughtered three children and three staff at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, reported the New York Times.

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9-year-old abducted while on family camping trip found alive in cupboard of suspect's trailer: Governor



Charlotte Sena, a 9-year-old girl from Saratoga County, went missing Saturday while on a camping trip with family in upstate New York. Police suspected that she had been abducted and was "in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death."

Hundreds of first responders, family members, and friends scoured Moreau Lake State Park and the surrounding area for the girl, hoping to find the child unscathed.

Following a tactical raid on a trailer just miles away from the family's home, New York State Police announced Monday night that the fourth-grader had been found "safe and in good health."

According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Charlotte's "abductor is behind bars."

While police employed various high-tech aids in their search, it appears what ultimately led them to the girl was the suspect's brazenness.

What's the background?

TheBlaze previously reported that the NYSP issued an AMBER Alert Sunday morning, indicating that the girl, from Greenfield, New York, had been abducted on Saturday around 6:45 p.m. near Moreau Lake State Park, Loop A, Site 18, in Gansevoort. The alert noted the girl "was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death."

Missing posters noted that the girl is blonde, green-eyed, 4 feet 6 inches tall and 90 pounds, and had last been seen wearing her bike helmet, an orange Pokemon shirt, and dark blue pants.

Charlotte Sena was out bike-riding with friends but had elected to do one more loop down a paved road, which cut through a heavily wooded area.

When she didn't return after 15 minutes, her family began looking for her.

Police indicated that her bicycle was located in Loop A around 6:45. Two minutes later, her mom called 911 to report Charlotte missing.

Bloodhounds, divers, forest rangers, air boats, ATVs, and drones were deployed in the search that followed, which ultimately involved roughly 400 people. The FBI and 34 volunteer fire departments also jumped in to assist state and local law enforcement.

Moreau Lake State Park was closed to the public, and the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily restricted the airspace over the park to protect search aircraft.

Trisha, Charlotte Sena's mother, told the Albany Times Union her daughter is a "good kid" and "trusting," stressing, "I just want my daughter back."

The Sena family told NBC News in a statement, "We just want her returned safely like any parent would. No tip is too small, please call if you know anything at all."

Hand-delivered evidence

Hochul told CNN that around 4:20 a.m. on Monday, the suspect "literally drove up to the family's mailbox assuming they were not home" and left an apparent ransom note.

The NYSP had been monitoring the home while the child's parents continued their search in Monreau Lake State Park. However, when the suspect hand-delivered the note, police were absent, having reportedly been called to another scene. While thus able to slip away, the suspect unwittingly left critical evidence behind: his fingerprints on the letter.

"That was instrumental in leading us directly to the suspect," added Hochul.

The police reportedly tested the note for fingerprints and searched law enforcement databases for a match. Although unsuccessful in their first attempt, the second search resulted in an apparent match to fingerprints from a 1999 DUI conviction in Saratoga, according to Newsweek.

After investigators identified 46-year-old Craig Nelson Ross Jr. as their suspect and ascertained that he was living in a trailer behind his mother's home on Barrett Road, Milton, two SWAT teams were dispatched.

Around 20 Special Operations Response Team members and an FBI SWAT team reportedly made entry just after 6 p.m. on Monday.

"They had what they call a dynamic entry tactical maneuver, and within the camper they located the suspect," said Hochul.

Ross got banged up in the process, having reportedly resisted arrest.

— (@)

Police found the 9-year-old stowed away in a cabinet in the trailer.

"She knew she was being rescued," said Hochul. "She knew she was in safe hands."

"Law enforcement teams were relentless in finding this little girl — putting the pieces together and leaving no cabin unturned — to bring Charlotte home to her parents," Hochul wrote on X. "Charlotte is safe and her abductor is behind bars tonight."

The Albany Times Union indicated that Ross' arrest was made less than three hours after NYSP said the search had been expanded over 46 linear miles.

It is unclear whether Ross knew of the Sena family prior to the abduction; however, Newsweek noted that his car registration is listed at an address near the Sena family home.

FBI joins search for missing 9-year-old Charlotte Senayoutu.be

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Massive manhunt underway for 'survivalist' homicide suspect who used bed sheets to escape from prison rooftop



A massive manhunt continued Saturday for a homicide suspect who escaped from prison using exercise equipment and bed sheets, WLTX reported.

Michael Charles Burham, 34, escaped from Warren County Prison in Pennsylvania weeks after a days-long search lead to his capture in South Carolina, according to ABC News.

"[Burham] is considered very dangerous, and the public is asked to be vigilant and report anything out of the ordinary," City of Warren Police said in a Facebook post Friday.

Burham scrambled onto the roof while in a recreational area on jail property, WGRZ reporting, citing a statement from an unnamed spokesperson. He then used bed sheets to lower himself to the ground and flee on foot.

The Warren Police Department said officials discovered early Friday morning that Burham had escaped from the Warren County Prison. They are asking residents to review residential and commercial security cameras to see if they captured any footage of him.

Law enforcement officials from multiple agencies surrounded a home in Warren in search of Burham Friday night, WGRZ also reported.

Authorities have described Burham as a "survivalist," the outlet noted, adding that he has considerable knowledge of the terrain in the region.

"He has been known to do these things in the past, and be able to survive out there," Warren Police Dept. Captain Jeff Dougherty said in a press conference.

"We don't know where he is at right now," Captain Dougherty also said. "If there's any camera footage out there, please let us know, we're following up on all clips that are coming in."

Federal, state, and local resources are being employed in the search for Burham. They include Warren City Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Warren County EMA, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Warren County Sheriff, Chautauqua County Sheriff, Jamestown (NY) Police, Bradford City Police, and Pennsylvania Game Commission, authorities said.

Cooperating agencies are using both ground an aerial resources to locate the escaped inmate, according to the City of Warren Police Department. Those resources include K-9s, drones, and aircraft.

Burham is a suspect in the May 11 homicide of 34-year-old mother Kala Hodgkin in Jamestown, New York. Jamestown is about 20 miles from the Warren County Jail.

Burham was arrested May 24 in South Carolina near the Berkeley-Charleston county line after a multi-day, multi-state manhunt, FBI officials said in a press release.

Burham had been on the run after an alleged crime spree including rape, unlawful imprisonment, and kidnapping an elderly couple in Pennsylvania. The FBI's press release said Burham was to be extradited to Jamestown to face charges.

WPD asks anyone with information to call the Jamestown Police Department confidential tip line at 716-483-8477.
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Michigan State shooter brings manhunt to an end with self-inflicted gunshot to the head



The gunman who killed three students and injured several others at Michigan State University in Lansing was declared dead early Tuesday morning, bringing an end to nearly four hours of terror.

WJBK reported that the 43-year-old black suspect, who has been identified as Anthony McRae, shot himself in the head as police closed in on him near Lake Lansing and Larch roads after an hours-long manhunt. The gunman reportedly had no affiliation with the school.

MSU Police and Public Safety announced just after midnight that there was no longer a threat to campus and that the shelter-in-place had been lifted. However, all campus activities have been canceled for two days, including athletics and all campus-related activities.

MSU Police advised students not to come to campus on Feb. 14.

What are the details?

MSU Police indicated that shots were fired after 8 p.m. near Berkey Hall on the East Lansing campus. The shooter was described as a short black male wearing a mask, red shoes, a jean jacket, and a baseball cap.

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— MSU Police and Public Safety (@MSU Police and Public Safety) 1676338812

After the initial shooting, the gunman reportedly opened fire at the MSU Union, where students often gather to eat or study.

MSU Police confirmed there were three fatalities. Two victims were killed at Berkey Hall and a third in the MSU Union. In a Tuesday press conference, officials revealed all three were students.

Five additional victims were transported to E.W. Sparrow Hospital with "life-threatening" injuries.

Dominik Molotky told ABC's "Good Morning America" that he was learning about Cuban history when gunshots rang out outside the classroom.

"I was ducking and covering, and the same with the rest of the students. He let off four more rounds and when it went silent for about 30 seconds to a minute, two of my classmates started breaking open a window, and that took about 30 seconds to happen. There was glass everywhere," said Molotky.

Gabe Treutle, also an MSU student, told CNN that he had learned there was an active shooter situation while taking a chemistry quiz on campus.

"I turned on the police radar in our area. About ten minutes after I did that, we got a report that the shooter migrated over to [an area] about a block away from where I'm standing. That really scared us," said Treutle.

"We got the door barricaded. We were peering through the windows trying to make sure that he wasn't going to come over toward us," said Treutle.

"And then five minutes after that, they evacuated the entire building."

\u201c#BREAKING MSU Active Shooting:\n- At least 1 dead, multiple injured, after shooting at Michigan State University campus in East Lansing\n- Shooter is wearing a mask and is at large\n- Multiple shooting scenes on campus\n- FBI and ATF responding\u201d
— Fast News Network (@Fast News Network) 1676343944

Another student, Connor Anderson, indicated to CNN that police escorted those who had barricaded themselves inside to safety.

"Oh, it was complete chaos. I mean, we all had to go down in one stairwell. People were getting trampled and everything. So, we all had to go at one exit. It took a while," said Anderson.

MSU Police advised students to "run, hide, fight," reported the New York Post.

“Run means evacuate away from danger if you can do so safely, Hide means to secure-in-place, and Fight means protect yourself if no other option,” the message said.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office noted that "significant equipment" including armored vehicles, drones, and canine units were dispatched in response to the MSU shooting, along with SWAT officers and mobile command vehicles, reported NBC News.

When law enforcement closed in on the suspect with the help of a public tip nearly four hours after the initial shooting, the gunman committed suicide.

"This truly has been a nightmare we’re living tonight," said Chris Rozman, interim deputy chief of the campus police department.

"We have no idea why he came to campus to do this tonight. That is part of our ongoing investigation," said Rozman.

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