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(Reuters) – A gunman opened fire in a Florida yoga studio on Friday, killing six people and killing two before class members fired back and the attacker committed suicide, police said. and the authorities.
Police received a call at 5:37 pm Chief of Police Michael DeLeo told reporters that several victims were at the hot yoga studio in a high-end shopping mall in Tallahassee, Florida's capital.
The gunman whipped a man from the yoga class who rushed him after he opened fire, the Tallahassee Democratic newspaper reported.
"There were indications that several people not only fought back but tried to save other people," DeLeo told reporters, confirming that a man had been flogged.
Tallahassee police identified the gunman Saturday morning as Scott Paul Beierle, 40.
The two people who were killed were identified as Dr. Nancy Van Vessem and Maura Binkley, 21 years old.
The shooter seems to have acted alone and there was no immediate threat to the Tallahassee community, DeLeo said.
Police announced Friday night that they had identified the gunman and that they were trying to establish links with the victims, he added.
"All the evidence suggests that only one actor remained on the scene and died at the present time, so there is no additional threat to the public," DeLeo said. City Commissioner Scott Maddox was among those responsible who visited the scene of the incident.
"In my career in the public service, I had to be part of bad scenes, it's the worst, please pray," Maddox wrote on Facebook.
Alex Redding, a customer in a bar down the studio, said people came looking for help, claiming that a man was acting strangely inside the yoga studio and then had started firing during the course, reported the Tallahassee Democrat.
Other victims, barefoot of their yoga class, entered the bar in shock and could hardly speak if it was the word "shooter", the newspaper reported.
Mayor Andrew Gillum, Democratic nominee for the post of governor of the state, has ended his campaign for the return to the city.
"No act of gun violence is acceptable," Gillum tweeted.
The murder rate of Tallahassee was a problem in the governor's race, with Republican opponent of former US Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis of Gillum accusing him of being weak. in crime.
Megan Nixon said that she was eating at a restaurant under the studio when she heard gunshots and people were running upstairs.
"The shot was fired six or seven times, and I saw five different ambulances picking up people," she told the Tallahassee Democrat. "It's scary, it's so close to my home."
The Tallahassee Democrat said Van Vessem was an internist who held the position of Chief Medical Officer of the Capital Health Plan, which issued a statement Saturday in which he congratulated Van Vessem.
"A long-time medical director at CHP, Nancy has been a visionary force in our day-to-day work in addressing the wellness and health care needs of thousands of families in this community." Her dedication, affection, leadership His humanity and experience have made him one of the most respected, inspiring and accomplished health professionals in the state and country, and our heart is filled with grief and prayer for his family. all were very lucky to have Nancy in our lives, "said the company.
Florida State University President John Thrasher said Van Vessem and Binkley had ties to the university, the Democratic daily reported.
"Losing one of our students and one of our faculty members in this tragic and violent way is devastating to the Florida State University family, we feel this loss deeply and we address our most sincere Condolences to Maura and Nancy's loved ones as we pray for the recovery of those who have been injured, "Thrasher said in a statement released on Saturday.
(Report by Andrew Hay, edited by Rosalba O & # 39; Brien and Kim Coghill)
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