Jessica Royce
Authorities confirm two people were shot and killed Friday on Central Michigan University’s campus and the suspected gunman is still at large.
Students on campus reported they received automated messages from the university just after 9 a.m. warning of shots fired near the fourth floor of Campbell Hall. The student dormitory is located on W. Broomfield Street.
Central Michigan University confirmed two people were killed at the campus hall. They are not students and police believe the situation started from a domestic situation. The Detroit Free Press reports sources said the suspect’s parents arrived on campus Friday morning to pick him up for spring break and were shot and killed.
Illinois State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch said the victims are James Davis Sr. and his wife.
Davis Sr. was a Bellwood, Illinois police officer, Welch said.
“My sincerest condolences go out to the family of Bellwood Police Officer James Davis Sr. and his wife who were shot and killed this morning. May they RIP,” Welch tweeted on Friday.
Police have not confirmed the victims’ names. They said they are in the process of identifying the victims.
“He said that the father was laying across his doorstep. So, he had to step over him to go out. So, I’m just hoping he’s OK right now,” said Debra Williams, Davis’ roommate’s mother.
Williams said her son took action right away and hid himself.
“He said another roommate just ran in his room and they locked the door and called the police. And it was about 15 minutes of not even hearing from him,” Williams said.
There are no additional injuries.
The suspect, 19-year-old James Eric Davis, Jr, is still at large.
He is described as a black male, approximately 19-years-old, 5’10” and 135 lbs. Mt. Pleasant Public Safety said he is wearing mustard yellow jeans and a blue hoodie. However, police said they have found articles of clothing they believe Davis stripped off.
CBS Chicago has confirmed that Davis graduated from the Plainfield School District in Illinois in 2016. CMU police confirmed Davis is from Illinois.
Campus police had an incident with Davis on Thursday where he was transported to University of Michigan Health Services for a possible drug-related incident.
Davis is considered armed and dangerous. Investigators believe he is still in the city limits. If you see him, do not approach him. Call 911 immediately.
CMU police said multiple law enforcement agencies are actively looking for him, including more than 100 officers.
Police are focusing their search north of campus because the suspect was last seen running northbound from the towers complex.
Police said no officers have laid eyes on the suspect and they have not received any calls from community members saying they have seen him.
Police are urging residents if they see someone suspicious to call 911. Davis is believed to be armed and dangerous and you should not approach him.
The campus was put on lockdown and students were told to shelter in place.
About 3:15 p.m. CMU said uniformed officers began assisting individuals to leave campus buildings. The university said students in residence halls can remain in the halls or they can leave with uniformed officers.
Campbell Hall is now open with exception of the fourth floor. The fourth floor remains locked down as an active crime scene. The Michigan State Police Crime Lab is processing the scene.
Residential students need their CMU ID to enter the halls.
“Those planning to come to campus today to pick up students for spring break should stay off campus until further notice. Please go to the Comfort Inn, 2424 S. Mission St. University staff will be on site to support the families,” the university said in a press release.
We’re told Friday was the final day before spring break for students.
Michigan State Police have choppers, canine crews and Emergency Support Team resources on the scene.
“This has been a tragic day at Central Michigan University,” CMU President George Ross said.
Ross thanked law enforcement for their efforts and said the safety of students and staff is the number one priority.
He said right now they are dealing with the incident and once that is over they will review the university’s policies and procedures, but for the time being they are worried about families.
Ross also said he wants students to talk about the incident over spring break. He doesn’t want them to hold it inside. He said counseling services will be available to students when they come back from spring break.
Mt. Pleasant, Coleman, Meridian and Bullock Creek Schools are all in secure mode.
Facebook created a crisis response Friday afternoon where CMU students and Mt. Pleasant residents could mark themselves safe.
Midland Schools were in safe mode, but that has since been lifted.
We’re told all Mt. Pleasant business received an automated call from the county telling them to lock their doors.
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