A gunman has killed two people and wounded five others at a yoga studio in Tallahassee, Florida before killing himself on Friday evening.
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Police identified the gunman as 40-year-old Scott Paul Beierle.
Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters that six people had suffered from gunshot wounds and one was pistol-whipped after the man walked into the yoga studio.
Police believe the gunman then fatally shot himself.
Two of the victims, now identified as Maura Blinkley, 21, and Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, died in hospital. The Tallahassee Democrat reports two other victims are in a stable condition while three have been released from hospital.
In a statement obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat, Florida State University president John Thrasher said Blinkley had been a student and Van Vessem a faculty member at the university.
“There are no words to express the shock and grief we feel after learning of the deaths of Maura Binkley and Dr. Nancy Van Vessem,” the statement reads. “To lose one of our students and one of our faculty members in this tragic and violent way is just devastating to the Florida State University family. We feel this loss profoundly and we send our deepest sympathies to Maura’s and Nancy’s loved ones while we pray for the recovery of those who were injured.”
Police believe the gunman acted alone but have not determined his motive.
“There were indications that several people inside fought back and tried to save themselves which is a testament to their courage,” DeLeo said.
DeLeo assured reporters there is no immediate threat to the community outside the incident.
