Tallahassee police chief Michael DeLeo speaks to the press at the scene of a shooting, Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, in Tallahassee, Fla. A shooter killed one person and critically wounded four others at a yoga... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tallahassee police chief Michael DeLeo speaks to the press at the scene of a shooting, Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, in Tallahassee, Fla. A shooter killed one person and critically wounded four others at a yoga studio in Florida's capital before killing himself Friday, officials said. A shooter killed one... (Associated Press) 
 
 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A gunman killed two people and wounded five others at a yoga studio in Florida's capital before killing himself Friday evening, officials said. 
 
 Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters Friday night that the man shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the studio, which is part of a small Tallahassee shopping center. 
 
 The suspect then fatally shot himself, DeLeo said. Authorities have not identified the shooter or the victims. The conditions of the other victims are unclear. 
 
 DeLeo said police are asking for anyone who saw something unusual around the time of the shooting to contact police. He said the shooter acted alone and authorities are investigating possible motives. He declined to say what kind of gun the shooter had. 
 
 "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. 
 
 Melissa Hutchinson said she helped treat a "profusely" bleeding man who rushed into a bar after the incident. She said three people from the studio ran in, and they were told there was an active shooter. 
 
 "It was a shocking moment something happened like this," Hutchinson said. 
 
 The people who came in were injured, including the bleeding man who was pistol-whipped while trying to stop the shooter. They told her the shooter kept coming in and out of the studio. When he loaded his gun, people started pounding the windows of the studio to warn people. 
 
 City Commissioner Scott Maddox was on the scene. He said on Facebook, "In my public service career I have had to be on some bad scenes. This is the worst. Please pray." 
 
 Elle Welling said she was leaving a liquor store across the street from the shopping center and saw at least three people loaded into ambulances. 
 
 "You don't think about this in Tallahassee and now you have to," said Welling, 26, who lives in the neighborhood. 
 
 The plaza is home to popular restaurants, a jewelry store, a framing shop, a hair salon and other businesses. 
 
 Erskin Wesson, 64, said he was eating dinner with his family at a restaurant located below the yoga studio when they heard the gunshots above them. 
 
 "We just heard 'pow, pow, pow, pow,'" Wesson said. "It sounded like a limb falling on a tin roof and rolling." 
 
 The restaurant's owner came by a short time later, asking if anyone was a doctor, Wesson said. His step-daughter is an emergency room nurse and helped paramedics for about an hour, he said. 
 
 Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who is the Democratic nominee for governor, tweeted that he's breaking off the campaign trail to return to Tallahassee. He earlier appeared at a campaign event with former President Barack Obama. 
 
 "I'm deeply appreciative of law enforcement's quick response to the shooting at the yoga facility in Tallahassee today. No act of gun violence is acceptable. I'm in close communication with law enforcement officials and will be returning to Tallahassee tonight," Gillum tweeted. 
 
 Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, called DeLeo and the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to get details of the shooting. 
 
 "I will remain in constant communication with law enforcement. We have offered state assistance," Scott tweeted. 
 
 Tallahassee's crime and murder rate has been an issue in the governor's race, with Gillum's opponent, Republican former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, calling the capital Florida's most crime-ridden city, a claim that is incorrect. ||||| 'He saved my life': Joshua Quick fought off yoga studio gunman with vacuum, broom 
 
 Jeff Burlew | Tallahassee Democrat 
 
 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida man who is being hailed as a hero for fighting back against the gunman who killed two people at a yoga studio said Sunday he used what he could to try to stop to the gunman. 
 
 On "Good Morning America" on Sunday, Joshua Quick said after Scott Beierle opened fire Friday night, he confronted him with the only weapon he could find – a vacuum cleaner with a heavy end. 
 
 “The gun stopped firing,” said Quick. “I don’t know if it jammed or what. So I used that opportunity to hit him over the head with it.” 
 
 The gunman pistol-whipped Quick, bloodying his face. But Quick recovered and tried to stop Beierle again. 
 
 Nov. 4: Tallahassee yoga studio gunman gave off 'psychopath vibe' as substitute teacher 
 
 Nov. 3: 'She just wanted people to be happy and healthy': Yoga shooting victim a dedicated doctor 
 
 “I jumped up as quickly as I could, ran back over and next thing you know, I’m grabbing a broom, anything I can. And I hit him again.” 
 
 Quick’s actions gave time for others to escape the yoga studio. Among those who got away was Daniela Garcia Albalat. Before Quick intervened, she told ABC, she thought she would die at the gunman’s hands. 
 
 “I want to thank that guy from the bottom of my heart,” she said, “because he saved my life.” 
 
 Two people, Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, an internist and chief medical officer for Capital Health Plan, and Maura Binkley, a Florida State University student, were killed in the shooting. 
 
 Five other people were wounded. Three of them were released from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare on Saturday. 
 
 It wasn't clear whether the other two have been released as well. Their names are not listed in the hospital's directory, said Danielle Buchanan, a hospital spokeswoman. That could mean they have been released. But it's also possible law enforcement or the patients themselves asked not to be listed. 
 
 Follow Jeff Burlew on Twitter: @JeffBurlew 
 
 Nov. 3: Scott Beierle, gunman in Tallahassee yoga studio shooting, remembered as 'really creepy' 
 
 Nov. 3: 'Senseless act': Gunman posed as customer before opening fire at Tallahassee yoga studio 
 
 Nov. 3: Maura Binkley, victim in Tallahassee yoga studio shooting, 'just wanted to help other people' 
 
 Nov. 3: State Rep. Kristin Jacobs, who represents Parkland, was witness to aftermath of Tallahassee yoga studio shooting 
 
 Nov. 2: At least 3 dead, including gunman, in shooting at Tallahassee yoga studio, police say ||||| Joshua Quick, a second-year law school student at Florida State University, left, and FSU President John Thrasher at Nov. 16, 2018 Board of Trustees meeting. (Photo: Bill Lax/FSU Photography Services) 
 
 Florida State University President John Thrasher and the board of trustees Friday committed $30,000 of their personal money to cover law school costs for Joshua Quick. 
 
 Quick, a second-year law student at FSU, has been hailed as a hero for his efforts in attacking the shooter who opened fire Nov. 2 at the Hot Yoga studio in Tallahassee. 
 
 Two people, Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, an internist and medical director for Capital Health Plan, and Maura Binkley, a 21-year-old student majoring in German and English at FSU, were killed in the shooting. 
 
 Five other people were wounded. 
 
 More: After Thousand Oaks, daughter's death in yoga studio shooting, 'time for silence is over' 
 
 Quick, in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” said after shooter Scott Beierle fired shots inside the Midtown studio, he confronted him with a vacuum cleaner, hitting him over the head when the shooter’s weapon stopped firing. 
 
 Quick was pistol-whipped and bloodied, but went after Beirle again, hitting him with a broom. The exchange allowed others to escape the studio. 
 
 Buy Photo A first responder talks to Joshua Quick moments after a shooting in the Hot Yoga Studio in Midtown on Nov. 2. Quick was pistol whipped as he tried to fight off the gunman with a vacuum cleaner. He has been hailed as a hero. (Photo: Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat) 
 
 Quick thinking: 
 
 Beirle was found dead inside from a self-inflicted gunshot. 
 
 During Friday’s’ meeting, Thrasher praised the efforts of Quick, who has downplayed the “hero” label describing him since the incident. 
 
 On Wednesday, Mayor Andrew Gillum presented Quick with a Key to the City on behalf of a grateful community. 
 
 Thrasher told trustees he didn’t have a key to offer, but instead, wanted to make sure Quick’s law school expenses are covered. 
 
 “We are going to start an effort to take care of the rest of his time at our law school,” Thrasher said after bringing Quick to the front of the room. 
 
 “I want you to know how much gratitude we have for what you did,” Thrasher said to Quick. 
 
 Joshua Quick, a second-year law student at Florida State University, gives brief remarks during Nov. 16, 2018 Board of Trustees meeting. (Photo: Bill Lax/ FSU Photography Services) 
 
 Quick, standing before trustees at the Turnbull Conference Center, thanked Thrasher in brief remarks before leaving the room. 
 
 “I want to offer my gratitude to everybody,” he said. “Thank you all for the recognition I don’t feel I deserve.” 
 
 Following a break, board chairman Ed Burr passed out pledge cards to members to indicate their support. Thrasher said he was hoping to raise $35,000 to $45,000 to cover Quick’s tuition and expenses. 
 
 “I’m confident we will rally the necessary resources to do the right thing for what he did for the people in that room,” Thrasher later said. 
 
 Thrasher said the contributions would go through the FSU Foundation earmarked for the FSU College of Law general scholarship fund. 
 
 By the end of the meeting, Burr announced trustees had responded with $30,000. 
 
 Burr said it was clear trustees were moved by the tragedy and Quick’s efforts. 
 
 “This young man saved lives in a moment of stress," Burr said. "He responded heroically. 
 
 “That’s a pretty impressive number for a smaller board to come up with in a few hours.” 
 
 Thrasher said he and his wife, Jean, and members of his leadership team plan to attend a celebration of life for Binkley at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, in Atlanta. 
 
 More: The victims of the Hot Yoga Tallahassee shooting, Sunday vigils, the GoFundMe page 
 
 Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson. 
 
 To contribute: 
 
 Checks can be made to “The FSU Foundation” and mailed to The FSU Foundation, 323 W. College Ave., Tallahassee, Fl 32301-9969, or, go online at http://foundation.fsu.edu. Checks should be earmarked: FSU College of Law General Scholarship Fund. 
 
 Read or Share this story: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/11/16/thrasher-fsu-trustees-commit-30-000-hot-yoga-shooting-hero-joshua-quick-college-expenses/2026332002/ ||||| On Friday night, a 40-year-old gunman walked into Hot Yoga Tallahassee and began shooting. 
 
 He shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the studio, which is part of a small Tallahassee shopping center. 
 
 The shooter, who has been identified as military veteran Scott Paul Beierle, killed Maura Binkley, 21, and Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and wounded five others before killing himself. 
 
 “Our city is in shock as this unspeakable violence continues to spread throughout our country. Please pray for the victims’ recovery and the families and friends impacted by this tragic loss. Please pray for our city to heal from this needless act of violence,” Tallahassee pastor Bruce Ferris posted on Facebook. 
 
 Be the first to know. No one covers what is happening in our community better than we do. And with a digital subscription, you'll never miss a local story. SIGN ME UP! 
 
 Authorities continued to search for a motive Saturday morning. 
 
 Here is what we know, so far, about the two victims who died: 
 
 Nancy Van Vessem 
 
 Van Vessem was an internist who served as chief medical director for Capital Health Plan. 
 
 According to her profile on Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare’s website, she graduated with her medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine in 1983 and began her internship at the University of Utah Medical Center in 1984 and a residency in 1985 at the University of Utah Medical Center and a year later at Loyola University Medical Center. 
 
 Capital Health Plan issued a statement praising Van Vessem. 
 
 “As CHP’s longtime chief medical director, Nancy has been a guiding, visionary force in our daily work to serve the wellness and health care needs of thousands of families in this community. Her dedication, caring, leadership, humanity, and experience made her one of the most respected, inspiring, and accomplished medical professionals in the state and country. Our hearts are filled with sorrow and prayers for her family. We all have been so blessed to have Nancy in our lives,” the company said. 
 
 Florida State University President John Thrasher says Van Vessem and Binkley had ties to the university, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. 
 
 Dr. Van Vessem was responsible for coordinating the third and fourth year clerkship rotations in Internal Medicine at FSU’s Tallahasseee campus, according to the university’s directory. 
 
 Nancy Van Vessem’s profile photo on the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare website. Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare 
 
 “To lose one of our students and one of our faculty members in this tragic and violent way is just devastating to the FSU 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 on Twitter. 
 
 There are no words to express the shock and grief we feel after learning of the deaths of Maura Binkley and Dr. Nancy Van Vessem. To lose one of our students and one of our faculty members in this tragic and violent way is just devastating to the FSU family. 1/2 — President John Thrasher (@FSUPresThrasher) November 3, 2018 
 
 Maura Binkley 
 
 Maura Binkley’s August 2018 Facebook cover post. Maura Binkley Facebook 
 
 Maura Binkley graduated from Dunwoody High School, an Atlanta suburb in Georgia’s DeKalb County in May 2015. 
 
 Her Facebook page shows many senior year photos in Facebook albums, and started at FSU in August 2015. Binkley was a senior with an English and German double major, according to the school. 
 
 Over the summer, Binkley participated in the FSU Summer Global Exchange and earned FSU credits at the University of Wuppertal in Germany, Florida State University News reported in August. While abroad, Binkley studied with German students as she traveled to Berlin and Amsterdam. 
 
 The last post visible to non-friends on her Facebook page was an updated profile photo on Aug. 24. 
 
 On the recent post, friends commented on the pretty blond student’s appearance, one going beyond a comment on her outward appearance: “You are so beautiful inside and out.” 
 
 Maura Binkley, 21, graduated from Dunwoody High School in Georgia in May 2015. Maura Binkley Facebook 
 
 In another post from 2016, friends said her pictures on a beach should be in a magazine. She deflected the compliment. “TBH the beach just had really good fortunate lighting,” Binkly wrote.In 2017, Binkley played in a Tri Delta sponsored dodgeball tournament to benefit St. Jude’s fight against cancer. 
 
 When she was in high school, she wrote several stories that were published in a community newspaper. One feature was a profile of a standout student from her school in 2013 for the Reporter Newspapers. 
 
 The group Students Demand Action FSU plan a campus candlelight community vigil at the Westcott Fountain at 7 p.m. Saturday. 
 
 Miami Herald staff writer Martin Vassolo contributed to this report 
 
 Follow @HowardCohen on Twitter.
– In what the City of Tallahassee calls "a gut-wrenching act of violence," a gunman killed two people and wounded five others at a yoga studio in Florida's capital before killing himself Friday evening, officials said. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters Friday night that the man shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the studio, which is part of a small Tallahassee shopping center, per the AP. The suspect then fatally shot himself, DeLeo said. The gunman has been IDed as Scott Paul Beierle, 40, of Deltona, Fla., per CNN. The two victims who were killed have also been identified, DeLeo said: Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and Maura Binkley, 21. DeLeo noted that the shooter acted alone and authorities are investigating possible motives. He declined to say what kind of gun the shooter had. Melissa Hutchinson said she helped treat a "profusely" bleeding man who rushed into a bar after the incident. She said three people from the studio ran in, and they were told there was an active shooter. "It was a shocking moment something happened like this," Hutchinson said. The people who came in were injured, including the bleeding man who was pistol-whipped while trying to stop the shooter. They told her the shooter kept coming in and out of the studio. When he loaded his gun, people started pounding the windows of the studio to warn people. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who's the Democratic nominee for governor, tweeted he's breaking off the campaign trail to return to Tallahassee. City Commissioner Scott Maddox was on the scene and said on Facebook, "In my public service career I have had to be on some bad scenes. This is the worst. Please pray."