Florida Yoga Studio Shooting – at least 3 Dead, Including Suspect
Tallahassee – Scott Paul Beierle, 40, walked into a Florida Yoga Studio on Friday night and opened fire, wounding two, and killing at least two others before turning the gun on himself. But it was the action of one Hot Yoga studio patron who likely reduced the number of casualties: he charged at the shooter, according to Fox News. Officers arrived at 5:30 p.m., just three minutes from the start of the shooting.
The patron was pistol whipped for his action, but that’s when the man turned the gun on himself. The patron then ran into the bar and told people what had transpired. His bloody white t-shirt was a testimony to what had transpired. One of the people in the bar helped tend to him for about an hour.
“Many people are alive because this guy rushed the shooter. I am alive because one guy in a yoga class in his bare feet ran at a shooter. He didn’t run away.” State Senator Kristen Jacobs told the Democrat. [Kristin Jacobs represents Broward county in the state legislature and was attending an office party at a bar in the same strip mall.]
Police are searching for the motive to the shooting. The wounded victims were said to be in critical condition. Five total people were shot including the suspect, one was pistol whipped.
Killed were: Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, a faculty member at Florida State University and Medical Director at Capital Health Plan, and Maura Binkley, 21, a student there. Two others were wounded. The shooter committed suicide.
“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.” President John Thrasher, FSU
A number of people have been taken away in ambulances, according to police. https://t.co/QYQ0tXiU4B
— Tallahassee Democrat (@TDOnline) November 2, 2018
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
Scott Beierle had a criminal history of grabbing women’s rear ends, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.