UPDATED SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2014 AT 6:20 P.M.
Family, friends and students say good-bye to a Florida State University law professor who was shot and killed in his home.
According to the school, Dan Markel died of his injuries early Saturday morning after being shot Friday. A memorial was held Sunday at Congregation Shomei Torah to remember him.
"This is probably the strangest, saddest, most surreal experience I've ever had in my life," said Shelly Markel, Dan Markel's sister. "I don't think I could have ever imagined this scenario. I'm still trying to see when I am going to wake up."
Markel primarily taught criminal law at Florida State University's Law School. Members of both the law and Tallahassee communities feel he left a significant mark behind.
FSU says another memorial will be planned in the fall when more students and faculty are in Tallahassee.
Tallahassee Police responded to the shooting at the 2100 block of Trescott Drive in the Betton Hills neighborhood Friday. They say around 11:00 a.m. they found Markel with a gunshot wound. Police are investigating his death as a homicide, but no suspects have been identified at this time.
If you have any information, you're urged to call TPD at 850-606-5800.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)-- The Florida State University community is mourning the loss of a law professor who was shot and killed.
According to an email sent out by the school to students, Dan Markel was taken to the hospital after being shot Friday. He died from his injuries Saturday morning.
"Anytime I needed to talk to him, he was always around to talk," said Ryan Wechsler, a former student of Markel's. "He always took an interest in me, and his students who were similarly situated and interested in criminal law."
According to the Florida State University Law School website, Markel primarily taught criminal law. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 2001.
Wechsler says he took two classes with Markel and grew close to him.
"He really is just brilliant," said Wechsler. "I mean the guy really challenges his students to think critically. He brought the best out of me as a student. He really had to ability to pull at you and get you to think on your feet. He was just really a master of the topic. He was just really intelligent with criminal law."
Funeral arrangements will be made by his family in his hometown of Toronto. A memorial service is planned in Tallahassee for Sunday, July 20 at noon. It will be at Congregation Shomrei Torah at 4858 Kerry Forest Parkway. FSU says another memorial will be planned in the fall when more students and faculty are back in Tallahassee.
Police are still investigating the incident, which happened in the Betton Hills neighborhood in Tallahassee around 11:00 a.m. Friday. They have not released any other details at this time. If you have any information, you're asked to call the Tallahassee Police Department at 850-606-5800.
