A $50 million lawsuit has been filed against Michigan State University on behalf of a student who witnessed the mass shooting that left three students dead and five others injured nearly two years ago.
Attorney Nora Y. Hanna of Christensen Law announced the lawsuit which was filed against Michigan State University, The Board of Trustees for Michigan State University, President Teresa Woodruff, Vice President Marlon Lynch, Michigan State University Police and Public Safety, Chief John Prush, Michigan State University Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, and Dan Bollman on behalf of Justin Bowman.
Bowman was a student attending class in Berkey Hall when the shooting occurred on Feb. 13, 2023. After the gunman entered the room and fired shots, he allegedly pretended to be dead and held another student as they died, according to the suit.
The lawsuit alleges gross negligence, claiming the university ignored security concerns before the shooting, like not having security personnel at the buildings or ID checks on campus.
In addition, the lawsuit alleges Bowman suffered emotional distress from witnessing the death of his classmates, including fright, shock, terror, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“We are going to hold accountable the University and its agents accountable,” said Hanna in a release. “If the Schools and the State refuse to take action- we will make them. Until Michigan State University finally fixes its flaws and cares for the rights of its students, they can expect legal action to continue. The students suffered tremendous trauma and loss that day. This loss continues with them in their daily lives. Mr. Bowman does not forget what he miraculously lived though. I will stand up for him.”
Since the shooting, the university has added new locks to doors, required key card access to get into most buildings between 6 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. and completed a permanent space for the MSU Security Operations Center where staff can monitor 2,000 building alarms and roughly 1,900 cameras. For more on the latest security measures implemented at Michigan State University, visit here.
Alexandria Verner, Arielle Anderson and Brian Fraser were killed in the shooting. The university reached settlements with the victims' families in December 2023.
Local 4 has reached out to Michigan State University for comment and a spokesperson said the university does not comment on pending litigation.
Read the full lawsuit below:
MSU Complaint by snpowers on Scribd
