TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL/AP) - The Tallahassee Police Department have released the names of the two people killed and the suspect in the Hot Yoga Tallahassee shooting on Friday evening.
The two people who were killed were 21-year-old Florida State University student Maura Binkley and 61-year-old Dr. Nancy Van Vessem.
Binkley was a student enrolled at Florida State University and a member of the Tri Delta Sorority.On the chapter's website, she's listed as the vice president of chapter development. She was also a standards chair and a rush counselor.
In a statement the sorority said:
"The Alpha Eta Chapter of Tri Delta at Florida State is devastated by the passing of our beloved sister, Maura Binkley. As a leader in the chapter, Maura embodied the Tri Delta woman – brave, bold and kind. Our hearts are with her family, our sisters and the FSU community during this difficult time."
Dr. Van Vessem was a member of the Tallahassee Memorial medical staff and had a clerkship faculty appointment at the Tallahassee Regional Campus of the Florida State University College of Medicine.
In a statement released early Saturday morning by FSU President John Thrasher, he said:
"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."
According to the Associated Press, Van Vessem was an internist who served as Chief Medical Director for Capital Health Plan.
In a statement released on Saturday about the death of Dr. Van Vessem, Capital Health Plan said:
"Our Capital Health Plan family is deeply shocked and saddened about the tragic loss of our beloved friend and colleague, Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, among the other victims of this terrible incident. As CHP's longtime chief medical director, Nancy has been a guiding, visionary force in our daily work to serve the wellness and health care needs of thousands of families in this community. Her dedication, caring, leadership, humanity, and experience made her one of the most respected, accomplished medical professionals in the state and country. Our hearts are filled with sorrow and prayers for her family. We all have been so blessed to have Nancy in our lives."
The shooter has been identified as 40-year-old Scott Beierle. Court documents show he had prior arrest for grabbing women.
Beierle was arrested in 2012 and charged with battery for "grabbing girls butts" near FSU campus and he was also arrested for another battery related incident in 2016 that occurred at University Trails apartments.
TPD said at about 5:37 p.m. Friday, officers were called to the 1900 block of Thomasville Road to Hot Yoga Tallahassee.
When officers arrived on scene, they found multiple people suffering from gunshots wounds. TPD and emergency responders immediately provided medical attention to the victims, who were later taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening, and life threatening injuries.
TPD said Binkley and Dr. Van Vessem have died as a result of the shooting and one additional victim was hospitalized after being pistol whipped.
According to TPD, Beierle is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A total of six victims were shot.
A total of seven victims have been identified: six gunshot victims, and one pistol whipped victim.
A Tallahassee Memorial Hospital spokesperson said seven people have come to TMH related to the incident.
TPD stated two victims are in stable condition, and three have been released from a local hospital.
TPD said this is still an active investigation and could not release any more information at this time.
They are asking people to please avoid the area.
TPD is working an incident at Thomasville Road and Bradford. Please avoid the area.
— Tallahassee Police (@TallyPD) November 2, 2018
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum posted on Twitter about the shooting thanking law enforcement for their quick response.
I’m deeply appreciative of law enforcement's quick response to the shooting at the yoga facility in Tallahassee today. No act of gun violence is acceptable. I'm in close communication with law enforcement officials and will be returning to Tallahassee tonight.
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) November 2, 2018
Florida Governor Rick Scott has been briefed by FDLE and local law enforcement on the shooting.
I have been briefed by FDLE and local law enforcement regarding the shooting in Tallahassee. FDLE is on the scene and assisting local police. I will remain in constant communication with law enforcement. We have offered state assistance.
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) November 2, 2018
The video below is a 1:00 a.m. update from TPD's Chief Michael DeLeo.
TPD said they will be on scene for hours collecting evidence and investigating.
At this time TPD has interviewed over 40 witnesses, and asked Victim Advocates to assist those dealing with this senseless act of violence. The motive of the shooting is still unknown.
TPD is asking if you were near the incident between 5:00 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. and have any information about the shooting to please call them at 850-891-4200 or Crime Stoppers at 850-574-8477.
We will update this story as soon as we learn more details.
