Florida Yoga Studio Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, Including Shooter

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Police have identified the gunman who walked into a yoga studio in Tallahassee and opened fire, killing two people and wounding five others before turning the gun on himself. Police said Scott Paul Beierle, 40, was the shooter at Hot Yoga off Thomasville Road, near East Bradford Road.

Police said they were called just after 5:30 p.m. Friday and found several people suffering from gunshot wounds. Police officers and emergency responders rendered medical attention to the victims, who were taken to a nearby hospital with injuries. Beierle was found dead at the scene and it appeared he had shot himself.

The slain victims were identified as Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and Maura Binkley, 21.

Capital Health Plan told the Tallahassee Democrat that Van Vessem was an internist who served as its chief medical director. John Thrasher, president of Florida State University, said Van Vessem was a faculty member andBinkley was a student, the newspaper reported.

"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," Thrasher said in a statement.

In all, there were six gunshot victims and one person who had been pistol-whipped, police said. Two victims remained hospitalized in stable condition and three were released.

An investigation remains ongoing.

Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters Friday night that the shooter acted alone and authorities were still looking at possible motives.

"We're all very saddened and shocked by the events that occurred, but it's important that people understand that there is no immediate threat outside of what has already occurred this evening," DeLeo said.

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