University of Arizona

A professor at the University of Arizona was shot to death on campus Wednesday, and a former student has been arrested in connection with the killing.

"The student wasn't allowed to be in that building," Arizona Police Department Chief Paula Blafas said at a press briefing. Wednesday when University police received a call about an unauthorized person inside the John W. Meixner's family, and ask that their grief and privacy be respected," University of Arizona President Robert C. The shooting happened around 2 p.m. "We have reached out to Dr. [the Arizona Police Department](https://www.facebook.com/UArizonaPolice/posts/pfbid02jM3zxM1QjRBVRU7UxWgKmh2qNzCN5E7m8jM6etqBdZ6YxLC66c8SsZdLeGFFbAipl), who also confirmed that he had once been a student of the victim, [Thomas Meixner](https://has.arizona.edu/people/thomas-meixner), who served as head of the school's hydrology and atmospheric sciences department.

Thomas Meixner, an expert on desert water issues, was head of the UA's hydrology department.

“In the context of the greater spectrum of gun violence in this country, (Meixner’s slaying) is a smaller event. Helping people in need was the kind of person Meixner was to his core, Bogan said, describing him as a rare combination of “funny, witty, warm and generous.” Harley said she did not personally know Meixner, but wanted to both help memorialize him and call attention to the gun violence that killed Meixner and thousands of other Americans this year alone. He was a full professor and department head, but still willing to be humble and willing to be present for everyone. “He described his work as ‘making the world better through biogeochemistry,’ but to us, he was trying to save the world’s most precious resource.” Brittany Ciancarelli, a program manager and academic advisor in the hydrology department, said she will never forget how her boss, Meixner, treated her with empathy and compassion when she experienced a recurrence of colon cancer last year. “Students referred to him as ‘the dad.’ They always knew he was there if they needed or wanted him, but also knew he wouldn’t sugar-coat things.” “He was a great man, a deeply faith-filled and devoted husband and father. He always put people first,” said Ferré, who lauded his late friend’s personable and effective leadership skills as a department head. “When I didn’t hear back, I thought maybe as the department head he was helping take care of the people around him.” That wasn’t too hard to imagine. According to his colleagues, he also saw the importance of studying water through a social justice lens, researching the potential impacts of the proposed Rosemont Mine and how groundwater pumping for border wall construction could affect desert springs. He always had a smile on and had an infectious laugh.”

By Paradise Afshar and Kaylene Chassie, CNN. A professor was shot and killed Wednesday on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, authorities said, ...

“It’s a tremendously tragic event,” Balafas said. “The student wasn’t allowed to be in that building,” Balafas said. As authorities were en route, they then learned that someone had been shot inside the building, Balafas said. The chief also could not confirm how many shots were fired. Harshbarger Building, University of Arizona Police Department Chief Paula Balafas said during a news conference. University police first received a call around 2 p.m.

Police said University of Arizona professor Dr. Thomas Meixner was shot and killed by a former student in an office in the John W. Harshbarger building on ...

Click here to find out more about our partners. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. You can select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices.

A professor at the University of Arizona was fatally shot on campus Wednesday and police said a former student was taken into custody.

“This incident is a deep shock to our community, and it is a tragedy. Thomas Meixner,” university President Robert Robbins PHOENIX – A professor at the University of Arizona was fatally shot on the Tucson campus Wednesday, and police said a former student was taken into custody.

The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Murad Dervish, was captured by state police around 5 p.m. after the death of professor Thomas Meixner, 52.

[CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/) [shooting](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/gun-violence), which police were alerted to at about 2 p.m. "We feel so incredibly bad for the professor’s family, friends and colleagues, and our hearts just really go out to them." Police were asked to escort the person out, but only a few minutes later, officers received another call that a shooting had occurred in the building, [according to](https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-ex-student-fatally-shoots-professor-in-university-of-arizona-building/article_51d97866-44f4-11ed-8885-674535588761.html) Tuscon.com. [in a statement](https://news.arizona.edu/story/university-arizona-statement-campus-shooting).

PRNewswire/ -- The University of Arizona Global Campus 2022 Teaching and Learning Conference (TLC) – A Culture of Care: Empathy, Advocacy, ...

The University of Arizona Global Campus ("Global Campus" or "UAGC") is an independent university that is operated in affiliation with the University of Arizona. [REGISTER HERE](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3669778-1&h=914683702&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwhova.com%2Fportal%2Fregistration%2Fuoagc_202211%2F&a=REGISTER+HERE). Global Campus is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is one of the nation's most innovative online universities with approximately 25,000 students. [uagc.edu](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3669778-1&h=1859060930&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3082952-1%26h%3D1673651507%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.uagc.edu%252F%26a%3Duagc.edu&a=uagc.edu). On November 3, Clint will offer a fireside chat where he will discuss with the TLC community how to develop a better understanding of at-promise students' experiences and find productive ways to act on that understanding. To register, access session information and links, and download the app, He is the author of the narrative nonfiction book, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, which was a #1 New York Times Bestseller, and the poetry collection Counting Descent, which won the 2017 Literary Award for Best Poetry Book from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and was a finalist for an NAACP Image Award. Kezar will speak about ecological validation, or understanding how the results of a controlled study would function in the real world. [visit the conference registration page](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3669778-1&h=790128148&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwhova.com%2Fportal%2Fregistration%2Fuoagc_202211%2F&a=visit+the+conference+registration+page). Adrianna Kezar and Dr. This year, TLC addresses empathy and advocacy as keys to students' continued access to and success in higher ed. [Promoting At-Promise Student Success](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3669778-1&h=3824204517&u=https%3A%2F%2Fpass.pullias.usc.edu%2F&a=Promoting+At-Promise+Student+Success)(PASS) project.

University of Arizona campus police chief said a male professor in the Department of Hydrology was shot and killed by a former student.

The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, she said. The suspect fled the campus and was arrested shortly after 5 p.m. He was expelled from the school in February and is barred from being on University of Arizona property, according to the complaint. I have no words that can undo it, but I grieve with you for the loss, and I am pained especially for Tom’s family members, colleagues and students," Robbins said. Approximately 11 shell casings were found at the murder scene, according to the complaint. The caller wanted the person escorted out by police, she said.

You are receiving Wildcat Wednesday on Thursday due to the tragic incident on campus on Wednesday afternoon.

Thank you for wearing the colors and sharing your Arizona pride! And even if your photo submission doesn't make next week's edition, please check our "Wear the Colors" album at Pat Andrea at Reynisfjora Beach, Iceland (the southernmost point in the country) in July. Thank you for everything you do for all our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Arizona Athletics continues to enhance the fan experience at Arizona Stadium through feedback, and we would like to hear from you about ways we can continue to improve. [ Hispanic Heritage Night at the stadium](https://arizonawildcats.com/news/2022/9/22/general-arizona-athletics-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-night.aspx). For additionalWEAR THE COLORS – SHARE THE PHOTOS We are expecting our biggest home crowd of the year when we take on the Ducks and tickets are moving quickly. We have a survey for fans to provide important feedback regarding football parking and path of travel to home football games. Compassion is at the core of who we are as Wildcats, and I encourage our Wildcat Wednesday readers to care for yourselves and one another as we grieve the loss of one of our own. You are receiving the Wildcat Wednesday email on Thursday due to the tragic incident on campus yesterday afternoon. [Follow Dave Heeke on Twitter](https://twitter.com/dave_heeke)

One person was killed in a shooting at the Harshbarger building on the University of Arizona Tucson campus.