Former University Student Shoots Professor Dead On Campus

A professor at the University of Arizona was shot and killed by his former student inside its Tucson campus on Wednesday, police said.

Arizona Police Chief Paula Balafas confirmed that the victim was a male professor in the Department of Hydrology, while the suspect was identified as Murad Dervish, 46.

Dervish used a handgun to kill the professor, who has not yet been identified as of posting.

The shooter had run off from the building through the main doors, according to Balafas.

Police responded to the campus’ John W. Harsgbarger building after it was reported that there was an ongoing shooting shortly after 2 p.m. local time on Wednesday, they did not issue any lockdown orders and instead warned people to stay away from the building and the surrounding area.

"Male suspect was ID'd but no longer on scene. Police currently looking for him," University of Arizona Police said while describing the suspect as being in his 30s with short brown hair, wearing a blue baseball cap and a dark backpack.

Dervish was immediately taken into custody after the state’s Department of Public Safety initiated a traffic stop near the town of Gila Blend, Balafas said in a news conference.

Balafas said that the victim was sent to a local hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by medical personnel.

“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,” Balafas said at a news conference.

No other details regarding the professor and Dervish were revealed aside from the fact that the latter was the former's student.

No one else was injured, but public safety alerts were issued and classes were suspended for the day. Students were instructed to leave the campus and go straight to their dormitories.

University of Arizona administration representatives did not respond to requests for comment about what happened or for more details.

In a tweet by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, he wrote that the state is willing to assist the university in any way possible if needed.

The said incident is still under investigation, according to NBC News.