BREAKING NEWS: Former student, 46, is arrested after ‘storming science building at the University of Arizona and shooting professor dead’
- Murad Dervish, 46, a former student was taken into custody after the shooting
- Police responded to the shooting at the University of Arizona campus’ John W. Harshbarger building around 2 p.m. on Wednesday
- The victim was identified by officials as a professor in the Department of Hydrology, but his name was not immediately released
A former student is in custody after allegedly gunning down a professor on the campus of the University of Arizona Wednesday afternoon.
The suspected gunman was identified as Murad Dervish, 46, the University of Arizona Police announced at a news conference following his arrest just after 5pm
UA Police Chief Paula Balafas identified the victim as a professor in the Department of Hydrology but said she would not be releasing his name.
Police say the on-campus shooting happened just after 2pm inside the John W. Harshbarger Building – which houses the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences.
‘Someone recognized the student and knew that he was not allowed inside the building,’ Balafas said. It was not revealed why Dervish was not allowed inside the building.
The campus was under lockdown for over an hour as police searched for the suspect, who was located off-campus.
Video posted to social media shows the scene outside the building as emergency officials carry a man out to a gurney and into a waiting ambulance
Police say the on-campus shooting happened just after 2pm inside the John W. Harshbarger Building, near East Second Street and North Mountain Avenue
‘I don’t know what the suspect’s issue was in this case, but if you see something, don’t just say something but do something. If you know someone struggling with mental health issues or anger issues, please reach out,’ Balafas said.
Balafas said that campus police first received a call from inside the building who recognized the ex-student as someone who was not allowed to be there. They requested the suspect be escorted out. Within a few minutes, another caller reported a shooting inside the building.
The campus remained locked down and students and staff were asked to shelter in place for more than an hour as police searched for a gunman.
The suspect was identified and sought after by police but had fled the campus. Just after 5pm, the suspect was taken into custody following a traffic stop.
Video posted to social media shows the scene outside the building as emergency officials carry a man out to a gurney and into a waiting ambulance.
The victim was taken to Banner-University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Two people hug after a shooting at the John W. Harshbarger Building on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday
The campus remained locked down and students and staff were asked to shelter in place for more than an hour as police searched for a gunman