‘Forever a Spartan’: Funeral held for Michigan State victim

Feb 20, 2023, 7:54 PM | Updated: Feb 21, 2023, 2:58 pm
Teresa K. Woodruff, Michigan State University interim President stands at the funeral for shooting ...

Teresa K. Woodruff, Michigan State University interim President stands at the funeral for shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

              Teresa K. Woodruff, Michigan State University interim President stands at the funeral for shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Rema Vassar, Michigan State University Board of Trustees Chairperson, speaks during a funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners hold flowers after a funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              The casket of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson is carried from the funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Rev. Sean Motley addresses the congregation gathered at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Harper Woods, Mich., on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in honor of Arielle Anderson, one of the victims of the shooting at Michigan State University. (Brian Sevald/Detroit News via AP)
            
              A mourner attends the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stands at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners attend the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Flowers are shown near a photo of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson at a funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners hug after a funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A mourner attends the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson, in photo, in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A mourner hugs Jerome Lloyd-Anderson and Dawana Davis, father and mother of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson at a funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners hold flowers after a funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              The casket of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson is carried from the funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Rev. Sean Motley addresses the congregation gathered at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Harper Woods, Mich., on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in honor of Arielle Anderson, one of the victims of the shooting at Michigan State University. (Brian Sevald/Detroit News via AP)
            
              A mourner attends the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stands at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners attend the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Flowers are shown near a photo of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson at a funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners hug after a funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A mourner attends the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson, in photo, in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A mourner hugs Jerome Lloyd-Anderson and Dawana Davis, father and mother of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson at a funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Teresa K. Woodruff, Michigan State University interim President stands at the funeral for shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Rema Vassar, Michigan State University Board of Trustees Chairperson, speaks during a funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners hold flowers after a funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              The casket of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson is carried from the funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Rev. Sean Motley addresses the congregation gathered at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Harper Woods, Mich., on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in honor of Arielle Anderson, one of the victims of the shooting at Michigan State University. (Brian Sevald/Detroit News via AP)
            
              A mourner attends the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stands at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners attend the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Flowers are shown near a photo of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson at a funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners hug after a funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A mourner attends the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson, in photo, in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A mourner hugs Jerome Lloyd-Anderson and Dawana Davis, father and mother of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson at a funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Rev. Sean Motley addresses the congregation gathered at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in honor of Arielle Anderson, one of the victims of the shooting at Michigan State University. (Brian Sevald/Detroit News via AP)
            
              Rev. Sean Motley addresses the congregation gathered at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Harper Woods, Mich., on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in honor of Arielle Anderson, one of the victims of the shooting at Michigan State University. (Brian Sevald/Detroit News via AP)
            
              A mourner attends the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Mourners attend the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stands at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A mourner attends the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson, in photo, in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the funeral for Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              Flowers are shown near a photo of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson at a funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A mourner hugs Jerome Lloyd-Anderson and Dawana Davis, father and mother of Michigan State University shooting victim Arielle Anderson at a funeral in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Anderson, Alexandria Verner and Brian Fraser and were killed and several other students injured after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
            
              A pair of students embrace as more than 1,000 Michigan State University students and concerned Michigan residents joined a sit-in protest on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at the Capitol in Lansing, Mich., one week after a gunman killed three students and injured five others. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)
            
              More than 1,000 Michigan State University students and concerned Michigan residents joined a sit-in protest on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at the Capitol in Lansing, Mich., one week after a gunman killed three students and injured five others. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)

DETROIT (AP) — Hundreds of people filled a church Tuesday for the funeral of a 19-year-old Detroit-area woman, an aspiring doctor who was one of three students fatally shot last week at Michigan State University.

Arielle Anderson’s casket was flanked by flowers — one formed an “A” — and large photos of her, from childhood to young adulthood. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer described her as someone with “quiet confidence” and “loud compassion.”

“Her future was robbed from her by a senseless act of violence. It’s not fair,” Whitmer told mourners at Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit.

Whitmer promised Anderson’s family that her death “will not have been in vain.”

“Actions that we take in response to this will honor your daughter,” the governor said, a reference to gun legislation that Democratic lawmakers in Michigan are pursuing.

Rema Vassar, chair of Michigan State’s governing board, referred to the morning winter weather.

“Michigan doesn’t get many sunny days, but the sun came out today. … You know diamonds are forever. And she lives forever,” Vassar said.

Anderson, she added was “smart,” “brilliant” and is “forever a Spartan.”

The funeral was the last for the three students who were killed Feb. 13 when a gunman fired at Berkey Hall and at the MSU Union. Services were held Saturday for Brian Fraser, 20, who, like Anderson, graduated from a Grosse Pointe high school, and Alexandria Verner, 20, of Clawson.

Anderson wanted to graduate from college as soon as possible on her way to becoming a surgeon, her family said last week.

Five students who were wounded remain in a Lansing hospital, including two in critical condition.

The shooter, Anthony McRae, 43, of Lansing, killed himself when confronted by police about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from campus. He had no connection to the victims or the university and may have had mental health problems, investigators said, citing a note in his possession.

Classes resumed Monday at Michigan State in East Lansing, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.

On Tuesday, Democrats in Michigan’s House announced legislation that they say will help prevent acts of violence like the Michigan State University shooting. The bills parallel gun safety and background check measures that Senate Democrats put forward last week.

“This is not a political issue; it is a public health emergency,” said House Speaker Joe Tate, a Democrat from Detroit.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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‘Forever a Spartan’: Funeral held for Michigan State victim