MSU shooting victims identified as Alex Verner, Brian Fraser and Arielle Diamond Anderson

The three people killed in a shooting at Michigan State University included a 19-year-old aspiring surgeon and an athlete studying biology.

Their identities were released by police on Tuesday. Five others who were injured in Monday night’s attack remain in a critical condition.

All of the victims were students at the university, police said.

Arielle Diamond Anderson, 19, had dreams of becoming a paediatric surgeon.

“She was working diligently to graduate from Michigan State University early to achieve her goals as quickly as possible,” her family said in a statement, adding that she “was sweet and loving with an infectious smile that was very contagious”.

“We are absolutely devastated by this heinous act of violence upon her and many other innocent victims.”

Another of the victims, Alex Verner, graduated from Clawson High School in 2020 with plans to study forensic science and biology.

The gunman has been identified by police as Anthony McRae. He went on a shooting rampage, killing 3 students and critically injuring 5 others. Hours later, he died in a self-inflicted gunshot wound.