Michigan shooting: Six shot dead as students slam university for lack of security

At least six people have been killed in a series of shootings in the city of Kalamazoo in Michigan, US. A 14-year-old girl was also "gravely injured" in the attacks on 21 February. Five people were killed at a restaurant and two people were killed at a car dealership. Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas reporting that the suspect did not resist when approached by officers and that weapons were found in his car. Police have now taken a 45-year-old male into custody and confirmed that the threat to

Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas told press the suspect did not resist when approached by officers and that weapons were found in his car. Police have now taken a 45-year-old male into custody and confirmed that the threat to public was now over.

Silence during gun attack

However, students at the nearby Western Michigan University have slammed the publically-funded institution for failing to issue appropriate security measures during the deadly incident. WMU students reported on social media that they had received no alert about the gunman who was killing people around town, but instead received an alert about a robbery.

A student lashed out at the university authorities for informing them about gas leaks in the dorms, but not about a "mass looser on the loose" nearby. Yet another said that student "safety should always come first" and that it was a "shame" that the university had failed to inform their students about the threat. It is believed that the nearby Kalamazoo College was put on lockdown.

One student tweeted that the university had failed to prioritise the safety of the Broncos – the name of the institution's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I American Football team.

IBTimesUK has approached Western Michigan University for comment.

The shootings took place at three separate locations, including outside a Cracker Barrel restaurant, a Kia car dealership and a block of apartments. The first shooting was reported at a residential building, where a woman was allegedly shot multiple times in front of her children and was taken to hospital in serious condition.

Hours after the first incident, police were called to the Kia car dealership, where two people had been shot and killed. The victims are believed to be a father and son. A third person was wounded at the scene. The third shooting at Cracker Barrel restaurant saw gunman open fire on people in their cars, killing five people.

Local channel WoodTV then reported gunfire at a fourth location near the restaurant and cited police officials as saying that an eight-year-old had been killed. Undersheriff Matyas called the shootings "random murders" and described the incident as his "worst nightmare".