A University of Arizona (UA) hydrology professor was shot and killed on campus Wednesday afternoon, leading to an hours-long search for the suspected shooter, a statement from the school confirmed.
The suspect, 46-year-old former student Murad Dervish, was arrested over 100 miles away and around three hours after allegedly killing the male professor, according to AZ Central. Just before 2:00 p.m., UA Campus Police reportedly received a call from someone inside the University’s John W. Harshbarger Building who said a former student was in the building without proper access and asked for police to escort him out.
“Someone recognized the student and knew that he was not allowed inside the building,” UA Campus Police Chief Paula Balafas said, according to Tucson.com.
Minutes later, police received a call that shots had been fired in the building, and Dervish fled before they arrived. A faculty member inside the building told Tucson.com that he heard seven to 10 gunshots. Dervish was captured after a traffic stop with assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The professor, whose name has not been released, was rushed to a local hospital, but Balafas said that he was pronounced dead after arrival. The university canceled classes for the remainder of Wednesday, and it’s unclear if classes inside the John W. Harshbarger Building will resume Thursday.
“Arizona is praying for the family and friends of the professor and those affected by today’s tragedy in Tucson,” Governor Doug Ducey (R-AZ) tweeted Wednesday evening.
