It started shortly after midnight – gun shots blasted through Strozier Library on the Florida State University campus early Thursday morning. Three students were injured during the attack. Officials at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare hospital said doctors were treating two victims for gunshot wounds. One is currently in critical condition while the other has been stabilized.
The third victim, according to police, suffered from a graze wound and was treated on the scene and released.
The Tallahassee Police Department received a call around 12:30a.m. reporting an armed man entering the library; when they arrived, they found the armed man outside the entrance. They ordered him to drop the weapon. The gunman refused and allegedly shot his handgun at least once aiming at the police.
The police returned gunfire and killed the gunman.
“This is an isolated incident and one person acting alone,” Tallahassee police Chief Michael DeLeo said to reporters during a press conference, “There’s no indication of any further threat to anybody.”
Officials have not released the assailant’s identity or confirmed whether they have uncovered a motive for the attack.
“Obviously everyone wants to know why,” DeLeo continued, “That’s the hard answer we’re going to continue to investigate.”
During the situation FSU sent an emergency text to all students, warning them about the possible danger. “FSU alert dangerous situation main campus – Tallahassee,” it read. “Seek shelter immediately, away from doors and windows.”
According to the vice president of student affairs, Mary Coburn, “the library was packed” as between 300 to 400 students were at the library to study for final exams. In the library, students were advised over the loudspeakers to stay where they were.
“The three students who have been injured are our highest priority followed by the needs of our greater university community,” said FSU President Johns Thrasher in a statement released early this morning. “We are increasing security measures and providing a strong law enforcement presence on and around campus today.”
The university canceled all classes Thursday and the library and much of the adjacent Landis Green remain closed as they conduct forensics tests.
Although no names or identifying information about the injured have been released, The Harbinger reached out to MLEC alumni attending FSU. Luckily, none were injured during the shooting.
