LANSING, Mich. — Tuesday night was a night for grieving, healing and remembering for the East Lansing community as they gathered at a two-hour remembrance ceremony one year after the tragic campus shooting that took the lives of three students and left five injured.
Thousands came out to the Spartan Statue, or "Sparty," to leave luminaries and light the area in green. Students shared their grief as they gathered in remembrance.
"Whatever you are feeling is valid. People are in different places along their healing journey and wherever you are tonight, tomorrow, and beyond is okay," said student body president Emily Hoyumpa to the crowd.
One year later, the community is still processing the complex emotions.
Community member Marissa Gilson felt a pull to do what she could. She was at the event giving out "free mom hugs."
"We wanted to do something," Gilson said. "We both were local, we were distraught by what was going on. We know that MSU is our community. There are lots of students from global places, lots of kids who were absolutely yearning for a mom and for comfort."
The ceremony included spaces for mental health services, hot chocolate and an art garden.
The bells tolled in remembrance of the three students lost that day—Alexandria Verner, Arielle Anderson and Brian Fraser. After the bells tolled people made their way to Sparty, where they placed luminaries below the statue, among the hundreds of bouquets already surrounding it.
As the community continues to process and grieve, Gilson said everyone just needs a little extra love.
"They needed us a year ago," said Gilson. "They needed us a year ago minus one week when we were out giving them again. And I am honored to be here again. They still need moms, they still deserve comfort, and a lot of them, while they're relatively adult, they're still children and this was really scary."
The university is planning to install a permanent memorial on campus. A survey is now open until March 31 to share your thoughts on a memorial. More information can be found here.
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