Winnipeg Jets forward Mason Appleton had some strong words in reaction to the tragic events that occurred on Monday night at his alma mater Michigan State University.
A gunman opened fire Monday night at Michigan State University, killing three people and wounding five more, before fatally shooting himself miles away amid an hourslong manhunt that forced frightened students to hide in the dark.
Appleton, who didn't find out about the shooting until Tuesday morning, spoke to reporters about his initial reaction to the tragedy.
"It's such a cowardly act," Appleton said. "It's real tough. You pray for the ones that were affected and their families, and you pray they all find the strength to get through a tough time like that."
The 27-year-old forward, who played for the Spartans for two seasons from 2015-2017, says he dreams of a future where tragedies like this cease to exist.
"We all dream of a world where none of that stuff happens because it's absolute s**t," Appleton said. "Like I said, real cowardly act by whoever (the shooter) was. There's no place in our world for that and you hope stuff like that never happens again."
Police announced the man's death early Tuesday, four hours after the shooting broke out, first at Berkey Hall, an academic building, and then nearby at the MSU Union, a popular hub to eat or study.
