Man charged in shooting at off-campus Mich. attack

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - Michigan authorities announced Sunday they have charged a 20-year-old man with shooting a Ferris State University student at his off-campus apartment, while police continued searching for a man they say killed one Michigan State University student and wounded another near that school.

DeCory D. Downing is charged with attempted murder and having a firearm in a felony, said Ferris State University Public Safety Director Bruce Borkovich.

Downing is from Macomb County in suburban Detroit, isn’t a student at Ferris State and has an “extensive criminal record,” Borkovich told MLive.com. Downing was being held in the Mecosta County Jail and expected to be arraigned Monday in district court.

Authorities had no immediate information on whether he has a lawyer.

Police made the arrest late Saturday at an on-campus apartment, school spokesman Sandy Gholston said. He said police also were questioning a woman. The victim’s injuries aren’t life-threatening.

Investigators didn’t yet know a motive in the shooting, Borkovich said Sunday. He said there was a party nearby at the time of the shooting before dawn Saturday, but Borkovich said it was unclear whether both men were at the party or knew each other.

“Early indications are that it may have just been an argument that went bad,” he said.

Classes and activities on campus were canceled or suspended Saturday but will operate normally Monday, Gholston said.

In East Lansing, police said Sunday that they were still seeking a man who fatally shot one 20-year-old Michigan State University student and wounded another 20-year-old Friday night.

Dominique Nolff, of Middleville, was pronounced dead Saturday morning, about 12 hours after he and his roommate were shot. The roommate, whose name wasn’t disclosed, was treated at a hospital and released.

Police described the suspect as a 20- to 25-year-old man who was wearing tan pants, a black coat and black shoes or boots.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Nolff family and friends,” Michigan State spokesman Kent Cassella said in a statement. He said the university would assist East Lansing police as needed.