A tragic incident occurred when a Michigan college student was fatally shot at a house party, with shots being fired through the floor in what authorities have described as an “intentional” act.
The victim, 19-year-old Connor Lotterman, was an engineering student at Grand Valley State University. He was hit in the head by a bullet that was recklessly fired from a bedroom upstairs during the party on May 9, according to WOOD-TV.
The tragic scene unfolded just after 11 p.m. in Tallmadge Township, MI, 6 miles east of the school’s campus.
Officials say a 20-year-old suspected gunman unloaded several rounds from his own gun into the floorboards as 10-20 people were partying inside.
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jake Sparks informed the outlet, “The shooting was quite intentional. Multiple rounds were fired. It wasn’t as if it were a one-shot accidental discharge. This was numerous rounds discharged. Although the result of the shooting led to an accidental death, this shooting was intentional.”
Lotterman was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but died on May 10, three days shy of his 20th birthday.
The coroner’s officer ruled Lotterman’s death an accident, with alcohol suspected of playing a role.
“Encourage people to be smart, firearms and alcohol don’t mix that’s for sure,” Sparks said. “I think this situation could’ve been avoided without those things mixing.”
The suspected gunman has not been publicly identified as police and prosecutors are considering criminal charges in the fatal shooting.
Lotterman was the youngest of five and is survived by his parents, siblings, grandparents and nieces and nephews, according to an online obituary.
His sister mourned her younger brother in a touching birthday message posted to social media.
“Thank you for being the best little brother a girl could ask for,” Marielle Lotterman wrote in the tribute. “I am so thankful to God for the 20 amazing years you had on this earth.”
Lotterman was completing his second year at GVSU when he was killed.
“The Grand Valley community is saddened by Connor’s tragic death,” Dean of Students Aaron Haight said in a statement obtained by WOOD-TV. “On behalf of President Mantella, the Laker community extends our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”
