A professor’s ex-student was arrested in connection to the murder of the University of Arizona professor on Wednesday.
Professor Thomas Meixner, who was the head of the hydrology and atmospheric sciences department, was shot and killed around 2 p.m. Wednesday at the school’s Tucson campus.
According to the University of Arizona Police Department, the shooting occurred in the school’s John W. Harshbarger Building.
“It’s a tremendously tragic event. We feel so incredibly bad for the professor’s family, friends and colleagues, and our hearts really just go out to them,” University Police Chief Paula Balafas said during a press conference shortly afterward.
A few moments before the shooting took place, a staff member alerted the UAPD to the presence of a former student who had entered the building without permission.
The staff member requested that police escort the ex-student off the premises, but tragically the UAPD’s officers were unable to reach the John W. Harshbarger Building in time to stop the shooting.
When police arrived, they found the professor’s lifeless body and a handgun that was used in the shooting.
The gunman had already fled the building by the time UAPD arrived to the scene.
Officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety later apprehended former University of Arizona student Murad Dervish, 46, at a traffic stop outside the town of Gila Bend at 5:10 p.m, some 120 miles from the murder scene.
“Dervish was arrested and booked in the Pima County Jail at 6:20 p.m.,” Sgt. Sean Shields of the UAPD said. “He was charged with murder in the first degree, pre-meditated, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.”
The UAPD said they are still trying to question Dervish to find out the motive behind him killing Meixner.
The University of Arizona canceled all its classes following the tragic event and instructed students to either go home or return to their dorm rooms. Counseling services were also made available to students.
“Arizona is praying for the family and friends of the professor and those affected by today’s tragedy in Tucson,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey wrote on Twitter.
“I am in complete shock,” wrote coworker Dr. Laura Meredith. “We just submitted a grant last week. I can’t think of a nicer or more supportive colleague/mentor/human. This is devastating and senseless. How sorry I am for so many people now in pain.”
Due to the nature of the offense, the prosecutor has recommended no bond be set for Dervish while he awaits trial. He is expected to return to court on Oct. 11 for a bond and danger assessment hearing.
Police did find out so far that Dervish was notified to UAPD at least two other times for trying to enter buildings on campus he had no access to in the past.
“Murad Dervish has been expelled from the University as of late last week following an investigation by the dean of students,” said an email sent to Hydrology students in February. “Both the office of general counsel and UAPD are aware of this consequence and are taking appropriate action as needed.”
Dervish had recently been evicted from his home near the University of Arizona for not paying rent.
A neighbor said, “I had to file a police report on him back in February due to hostile confrontations with him in the past. This was not unpredictable like some officers would like to claim. We could tell Dervish was sort of on the breaking point for a while. Police had to be called to his house multiple times and it’s just really unfortunate that someone had to die before anything was done.”
According to the neighbor, UAPD also went to Dervish’s residence a few months ago because he had been threatening a University of Arizona staff member.
I’m sure there are more leftest professors out there to replace him.
What did the barber say?
“NEXT!!”
No sympathy for the family of the deceased, just a snarky political comment, smh.
You’re bringing politics into a man’s death????
Really, without knowing anything about the professor or his murderer, you make assumptions? I will pray for you both as I pray for the family of the deceased. May God have mercy.
So. Why did he do this? They were aware of his presence prior to this. Why this professor? Many students are made to wait until next go round. What was this professor discoveries? Is this an attack on foreign students? “Police did find out so far that Dervish was notified to UAPD at least two other times for trying to enter buildings on campus he had no access to in the past.” Put our motions aside [lease and ask the questions we learned in school. Who, what, When, Why, and how?i don’t condone the kyllongs nor do I condone the the report. No angst.