Michigan State University (MSU) has reached a $2.45 million settlement with Hanyang Tao, a survivor who sustained severe injuries during February 13, 2023 mass shooting on campus.
Tao was critically injured in the shooting and has endured significant physical and psychological trauma since then. According to documents obtained by The State News, Tao was injured by a bullet in his spine while attempting to escape from Berkey Hall room 114. The bullet fragments remain lodged in his back, resulting in chronic pain and numbness. Additionally, Tao experiences sleep paralysis and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to his attorney.
Related Article: Oxford Schools Insurance to Pay At Least $5 Million to Each Shooting Victim, Judge Rules
Tao’s legal action against MSU as initiated in June 2023, where he alleged negligence on the part of the university. Tao claimed MSU failed to address safety concerns, such as the absence of an effective emergency notification system, classroom doors that could not be locked from the inside, and a lack of security measures, including armed officers and metal detectors.
The MSU mass shooting resulted in the deaths of students Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser, and Alexandria Verner. In December 2023, their families reached a $15 million settlement with the university. The shooter, who was not connected to the university or its students, opened fire at Berkey Hall and the MSU Union before taking his own life when confronted by the police.
Previous Settlements with Other MSU Shooting Survivors
Earlier settlements with other survivors from the shooting include a $14.25 million agreement with Nate Statly, who was shot in the head and requires ongoing care, $13 million for Yukai “John” Hao, who was paralyzed from the chest down, and $2.5 million for Troy Forbush, who suffered a serious lung injury, reports the Lansing State Journal. Additionally, another survivor received a $50,000 settlement in May.
In response to the tragedy, the MSU Board of Trustees has approved the design and initiation of construction for a memorial dedicated to the victims.
Mass Shooting Prompts Physical Security Upgrades at MSU
MSU responded to the shooting by upgrading physical security. Its public safety leadership was restructured “to enable the accelerated expansion of university safety efforts across our East Lansing campus and all MSU campuses throughout Michigan.”
Additionally, most of the classroom doors on campus can now be locked from the inside and require a key to unlock them from the outside. Additionally, doors that have lockdown buttons near them will automatically engage their locks when the lockdown buttons are pushed. First responders will also be notified.
Related Article: FSU Students Call for Classroom Door Locks After Campus Shooting
Access to buildings has also been restricted in the evening, and MSU’s video surveillance system has been greatly expanded and upgraded. The school now has a security operations center (SOC) that is staffed 24/7 and monitors the cameras on campus.
Emergency notifications can now be sent via the SafeMSU app, and outdoor sirens and Green Light phones have also been upgraded to play tone-based alerts.
