Lansing, MI – A survivor of the deadly 2023 shooting on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus is suing the university for $50 million, accusing it of negligence related to campus security procedures. The lawsuit, filed just one day before the shooting’s second anniversary, highlights the traumatic experience of Justin Bowman, who was in the classroom during the attack.
According to the legal filing, Bowman was forced to hide among the bodies of his classmates while trying to help a victim who later died from her injuries. The lawsuit claims that the university’s failure to address known security issues contributed to the tragedy.
Bowman’s lawsuit outlines complaints from both students and faculty months before the incident, noting that the university was warned about severe security gaps on campus. Among the issues highlighted were the absence of locks on classroom doors and the university’s mandatory in-person attendance policy, which is alleged to have increased the number of people present in the classroom when the shooting occurred.
In the wake of the tragedy, MSU invested millions of dollars to overhaul its security systems, including installing locks on classrooms and requiring keycard access to campus buildings after hours. However, Bowman’s legal team argues that these measures, implemented only after the shooting, demonstrate that the administration had the capacity to strengthen security earlier but failed to act.
“What happened to Mr. Bowman was completely preventable,” said Nora Hanna, an attorney representing Bowman. “The university chose to leave its doors unlocked. The university made the decision to leave the building open to the public. They knew that there were serious safety concerns months before the incident.”
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Bowman’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other damages. It names Michigan State University, its Board of Trustees, the MSU Police Department, and several individuals as defendants. Bowman is demanding a trial by jury.
In response to the lawsuit, 6 News reached out to Michigan State University for comment but has not yet received an official statement. The case is expected to draw attention to the ongoing debate over campus safety and university responsibility in preventing mass shootings.
As of now, it remains to be seen whether this lawsuit will set a precedent for similar legal actions against universities or prompt changes to campus security policies nationwide.
