EAST LANSING, Mich. – Attorneys representing the survivors of the campus shooting at Michigan State University have reached a settlement with the university, amounting to $29.75 million.
Yukai “John” Hao was shot in the back as he attempted to escape through a window at Berkey Hall during the shooting on Feb. 13, 2023. It left him paraplegic from the chest down.
His attorney, William Azkoul, of Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC, says Hao is determined to continue on with his education and pursue his dreams of becoming a sports agent. “His tenacity, spirit, to fight to regain as much of his function as possible,” said Azkoul.
After taking a year off, Hao, an international student from China, returned to MSU after receiving treatments back home and in Chicago. The junior is studying economics and sports management. He’s receiving $13 million as part of his settlement.
His attorney said he’ll have student health insurance provided by MSU for the duration of his undergrad studies and graduate degree, should he choose to go to MSU.
Hao is in China for the summer with family, where he is undergoing stem cell treatments, according to Azkoul.
Attorney Mick Grewal, of Grewal Law, represents the other two students in the settlement. He spoke about the lifelong injuries that they’ll experience as a result of the shooting.
Nate Statly, he says, suffered a traumatic brain injury after he was shot in the head.
“He is doing quite well, but he needs lifelong care,” said Grewal. “He has physical therapy every day, still on his way, trying to graduate from the university.”
His other client, Troy Forbush, was shot in the lung and has already graduated. Grewal says he’s doing his best to put what happened behind him, noting the emotional trauma the students have undergone.
It took 26 months to reach a settlement, and Grewal says in the end, MSU stepped up and “did the right thing.” As for the future, “I like to think they’re growing from this tragedy.”
For more specifics on the settlement and MSU’s statement, click here.