The Henry Ford Community College shooting took place on April 10, 2009, when 28-year-old student Anthony Powell shot and killed 20-year-old Asia McGowan inside a classroom at the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan, then killed himself with the same shotgun. Police classified the incident as a murder-suicide.
What Happened on April 10, 2009
Shortly after 12:30 p.m. that Friday, the Dearborn Police Department received a call reporting an assault on campus, followed almost immediately by a report of a gunshot.1NBC News. Two Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide at Michigan College Officers set up a perimeter around the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center. As they moved into the south hallway, they heard another shotgun blast.2CNN. Two Dead in Michigan College Shooting
In a first-floor classroom that was not in use at the time, officers found McGowan and Powell dead. Investigators determined Powell had shot McGowan at least once before turning the shotgun on himself.3The Michigan Daily. Two Killed in Dearborn Community College Shooting No one else was in the room. Deputy Police Chief Gregg Brighton characterized the incident as a murder-suicide.4MLive. Person With Gun Reported at Michigan Community College
Who Asia McGowan and Anthony Powell Were
Asia McGowan was 20 years old and lived in Ecorse, Michigan. She was studying in the college’s fine arts programs and performed with the Full Circle Dance Co.5Press & Guide. A Year Later, Fellow Students Remember Slain HFCC Student Asia McGowan
Anthony Powell, 28, lived in Detroit and was also enrolled at Henry Ford Community College. He and McGowan had taken at least one class together, a theater course that had met earlier that same day.6MLive. Two Students Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide at Michigan College Later reporting indicated Powell had harassed McGowan online in the weeks before the shooting and had posted YouTube videos expressing hostility toward Black women and other groups.7The News-Herald. A Year Later, Fellow Students Remember Slain HFCC Student Asia McGowan Available reporting does not indicate whether anyone brought his behavior to college officials before the shooting.
How the Campus Responded That Day
The college activated its mass notification system as soon as the shooting was reported, sending lockdown alerts to students and staff by email and text message.1NBC News. Two Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide at Michigan College Dearborn Police and Michigan State Police secured the campus, which stayed locked down for several hours.3The Michigan Daily. Two Killed in Dearborn Community College Shooting Classes were canceled for the rest of the day and through the weekend, and the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center itself remained closed until later that summer.5Press & Guide. A Year Later, Fellow Students Remember Slain HFCC Student Asia McGowan
Security Changes the College Made Afterward
Henry Ford Community College overhauled its security infrastructure in the months that followed. Classroom doors were fitted with interior locks. Emergency phones and surveillance cameras were installed in parking lots. The emergency communications plan was expanded to include outdoor broadcast systems, alerts on TV monitors, and direct messaging to computer desktops.7The News-Herald. A Year Later, Fellow Students Remember Slain HFCC Student Asia McGowan The college also brought in an emergency planning consultant and ran preparedness training for administrators and faculty.
How Asia McGowan Was Remembered
The college held a memorial service for McGowan on April 23, 2009, in the courtyard near the Liberal Arts Building on its main campus. The HFCC Foundation set up the Asia McGowan Memorial Fund to help with funeral costs and to support her family.8The News-Herald. Memorial to Be Held for Slain HFCC Student The Full Circle Dance Co. choreographed a dance in her memory. A year after her death, classmates gathered on campus again to remember her, describing her as a talented and well-liked member of the arts community.7The News-Herald. A Year Later, Fellow Students Remember Slain HFCC Student Asia McGowan