Update 11:53 a.m.: From the Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A law enforcement official says the gunman who shot three people at Florida State University before being killed by police was a lawyer who graduated from the school.
The official told The Associated Press that the shooter was Myron May, who graduated from Florida State before attending Texas Tech University's law school. The official requested anonymity because he was not authorized to release the name.
May was fatally shot early Thursday after he shot three people at the Florida State library. Two are hospitalized and one has been released.
Abigail Taunton told the AP that May had recently been staying at a guest house she owns in a rural area in the Florida Panhandle. She said police interviewed her husband, David, after the shooting.
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Update: 11:36 a.m.: Governor Rick Scott and Florida State University President John Thrasher say they’re pleased with the quick response of the university’s police force as well as local law enforcement. The two spoke during a press conference on the early morning shooting at FSU’s Strozier Library that left three students injured and the gunman dead.
“While our hearts are broken for the injured and recent loss of life that occurred here last night, I have every confidence that FSU will become an even stronger campus as they come together and heal from this tragedy," says Governor Rick Scott.
Students have been gathering in front of the library in ongoing prayer vigils. More rallies have been set for this evening. Local police aren’t saying whether they have a motive for the shooting, which occurred at 12:30 this morning.
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Tallahassee Police Spokesman David Northway recapped the incident during an early morning news brief at FSU headquarters:
"At approximately 12:30 am this morning, FSU pd received a call about an armed subject near the Strozier Library. As they were driving to the scene, they were notified that an outside victim- an innocent victim if you will-- was also injured by the shooter. The initial report shows when they arrived on the scene and met the suspect in front of Strozier library, they gave the suspect commands, and the suspect did not comply with the commands and shot at the officers. They returned fire and the suspect was killed.
Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo confirmed the shooting victims were all students.
"Two victims that taken to a local hospital and they are being treated. A third victim received what we would consider a grazing injury. They were treated on scene and released.
With the end of the semester bearing down Strozier library was filled with between 400 and 500 students when the gunman entered the building and opened fire. Police haven't released his identity and couldn't speculate on a motive. They confirmed he used a handgun.
Officers were on the scene in moments and Florida State University Police Chief David Perry said that was due to a rapid response by students in and around the library.
"The students did what we asked them to do in terms of an active shooter response. That's run, hide and fight. So our students took shelter where they could, called our 911 line and provided us detailed information for us to respond to the scene timely.
The five officers who first responded to the scene are from FSU and TPD. They're on administrative leave as the investigation goes on. Meanwhile FSU Vice President for Student Affairs, Mary Coburn, says the school will be closed today.
Police have scheduled another media briefing for 3 p.m.
You can watch the video of the press conference here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw_GOmCnDU4&feature=youtu.be
