A Florida State law professor and author, Dan Markel, died in his home on Friday after a shooting, according to The Tallahassee Democrat.
“I am deeply saddened to report that our colleague Dan Markel passed away early this morning,” wrote Donald Weidner, dean of the FSU College of Law, in a letter to faculty and students. “As many of you are already aware, Dan was fatally injured in a shooting incident that took place yesterday and which is still under active investigation by local authorities.”
A friend of Markel’s, Allen Grossman, was told on Friday that Markel was shot in his home around 11 a.m., which is around the same time someone in the Betton Hills neighborhood called 911 to say they heard a ‘loud bang’ near Trescott Drive.
Tallahassee Police confirmed in a press release on Saturday that Markel died from a shooting on Friday morning. It also said that no suspects have been identified in the case yet.
“Our attention is focused on supporting Dan’s family and the many members of our community who are undoubtedly shocked and saddened by this tragic turn of events,” Weidner wrote in the letter to law school students.
Markel had two sons, ages five and three. He was also involved in Congregation Shomrei Torah.
Markel is a 1995 graduate of Harvard College. He earned his masters from the University of Cambridge and then earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 2001.
“Dan was one of the most vivacious members of our community. He was an outstanding teacher and extraordinary scholar and colleague whose opinions were widely solicited and valued. His contributions to the law school and broader legal community were pervasive and lasting. We all mourn his passing and will feel his loss for many years to come,” Weidner said.
The school is planning a memorial service for Markel this fall when students return to campus.