Three people were shot and the gunman killed during a late-night shooting at Florida State University. Local officers aren’t saying if there is a motive for the crime. Police identified the suspect as FSU alumnus Myron DeShawn May
There were between 300 and 400 students at FSU’s Strozier library at 12:30 this morning when police caught up with an armed suspect in front of the building.
The suspect shot at the officers. Police returned fire after they said he refused to surrender and killed the gunman.
Video from inside the library show students hiding between walls of books. Florida State University Police Chief David Perry says students acted as they should have. "The students did what we asked them to do in terms of an active shooter response and that’s run hide or fight,” says Perry.
Two students were taken to a local hospital and treated. A third was treated on scene and released.
Governor Rick Scott spoke on campus Thursday morning. “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. And there’s already events happening across the campus right now,” says Scott.
Students have been gathering in front of the library in ongoing prayer vigils.
UCF police chief Richard Beary says the officers’ response saved lives.
“You know we hope for a speedy recovery for the victims, and of course our hearts go out to the law enforcement officers who have to deal with trauma of taking somebody’s life, but at the end of the day this was a situation that could have been much, much worse," says Beary. "Luckily, through some good police work and a rapid response the injuries were kept to a minimum.”
UCF was faced with an active shooter incident last year when a former student planned to carry out an attack on students at his dorm. James Seevakumaran took his own life before police reached him.
Matthew Peddie contributed to this report.
