Family of MSU shooting victim Alexandria Verner reaches $5 million settlement with school
(FOX 2) - Michigan State University reached a $15 million settlement with the three families whose children were killed in the mass shooting on campus on Feb 13.
Each family will receive $5 million, as Michigan State Trustees allowed the settlement to move forward Friday.
A statement from Attorney David Femminineo, who represents Alexandria Verner's family, stated the case was "never about blaming Michigan State University" for the shooting.
"From the outset, the discussions with MSU General Counsel Brian Quinn centered around how MSU can support the Verner family moving forward beyond 2/13/23. The Verner family did not seek to blame MSU for the death of their daughter. Instead, the Verner family has sought answers as to how this could be prevented in the future," he said.
Verner's parents said they will use the money to honor their daughter's legacy through various initiatives, including scholarships.
"While no amount of compensation can ever replace the loss of a life, we do hope this brings some closure, support, and relief to those families," MSU Trustee Dan Kelly said.
Verner, who was 20 at the time of her death, was a graduate of Clawson Public Schools in 2020.
Brian Fraser, 20, and Arielle Anderson, 19, were the other two killed in February when Anthony McRae open fired inside Berkey Hall. Five other students were struck during the shooting spree that stretched across campus into the MSU Union as well.
McRae died from a self-inflicted gunshot after police converged on him in the wake of the shooting.
"The person that took my daughter’s life should have never been on the street," Ted Verner said.
According to Lansing's Deputy Chief Ellery Sosebee, McRae had two loaded 9 mm firearms on his person, as well as a fully loaded magazine in his coat pocket and several other magazines and ammunition in his backpack.
He was also found with a note that hinted at some reasons behind the shooting - however, a motive could never be determined, according to police.
'People hate me': Michigan State shooter Anthony McRae's note highlighted other targets, mindset before crime
The note found on Michigan State University shooter Anthony McRae included other targets and a look at his mindset before the killings.
Police managed to track down McRae after a resident noticed him wandering down the street about four miles away from MSU in Lansing. After calling 911, police converged on McRae nearly four hours after the shooting.
The school closed Berkey Hall and the MSU Union for the remainder of the semester.
Over the summer, two of the five victims that were injured planned to sue the university, claiming the administration was aware of defective safety conditions on the campus, but did not address them.
Nate Statly and Troy Forbush, through their lawyers, claimed there were no restrictions to access the buildings prior to being shot. McRae, who wasn't a student at the university, was able to walk into the building around 8 p.m.
The school has since changed access rules for buildings between 6 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.