A gunman killed two people and wounded five others at a yoga studio in Florida's capital before killing himself Friday evening, reported AP, citing senior police officials.

 

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.

 

Early Saturday morning, the Tallahassee Police Department identified the shooter as Scott Paul Beierle, 40, a brooding military veteran and former teacher.

 

The department identified the two people who were killed as Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and Maura Binkley, 21, it stated.

 

Van Vessem was an internist who served as chief medical director for Capital Health Plan, the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper reported.

 

Capital Health Plan issued a statement praising Van Vessem, the Democrat reported.

 

"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 Democrat reported.

 

"To lose one of our students and one of our faculty members in this tragic and violent way is just devastating to the Florida State University 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 in a statement.

 

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.