Tucson Standard

Classes were canceled and all non-essential faculty, staff, and students were asked to leave the campus after an active shooter incident on Oct. 5 at the John W. Harshbarger Building on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson.

University police first released a notice of the incident around 5:17 p.m on Twitter. 

"Police responded to Harshbarger bldg for a shooting," the post stated. "Stay away from surrounding area. More to follow."

Dr. Thomas Meixner was allegedly shot by 46-year-old Murad Dervish, who then left the area but has been taken into custody, according to KNXV.

University Police said the Department of Public Safety took Dervish into custody near Gila Bend. Meixner later died at the hospital, KNXV reported.

Dervish was a former student at UA and did not have permission to be in the building, police said. A staff member recognized Dervish and called the police. 

"Suspect has dark complexion, 5ft8in tall, around 35yrs, short brown hair, wearing Blue Baseball cap, and dark backpack," UA Police stated in a Tweet.

The university announced the cancellations on the UA Twiter Account, adding that more information would be available later.

"Arizona is praying for the family and friends of the professor and those affected by today’s tragedy in Tucson," Gov. Doug Ducey said in a Twitter post.