Police have identified Nancy Van Vessem and Maura Binkley as the women who were killed Friday when a gunman stormed a yoga studio in Tallahassee, Florida, and opened fire.
Maura Binkley
Binkley was a 21-year-old student at Florida State, according to school President John Thrasher.
In a statement posted to its Facebook page, the Delta sorority called Binkley a « beloved sister. »
She grew up in the Atlanta metro area and was known to friends and family for her compassion.
Her father, Jeff Binkley, told CNN his daughter « just radiated love for everybody. »
« You could see her life shines through just about everybody she met, » he said. « That’s consolation to us. »
After the Parkland school shooting in February, Binkley went to the state Capitol with the Parkland students and their families to lobby for change.
She later asked her father, « Dad, what can I do? What can I do about this? » he said.
« We talked about it never dreaming that it was going to be us, » Jeff Binkley said.
The yoga studio where she was killed had been there for years, he said, and was right above one of his favorite restaurants to eat with Maura when he was in town.
« As a leader in the (Alpha Eta) chapter, Maura embodied the Tri Delta woman — brave, bold and kind, » the statement from President Kimberlee Sullivan said. « Our hearts are with her family, our sisters and the FSU community during this difficult time. »
According to FSU’s website, Binkley was studying for a double major in English and German.
Binkley spent this past summer studying at the University of Wuppertal in Germany, the website said, and she found the experience « so rewarding. »
« Maura truly lived a life really devoted to peace, love and caring for others, » Jeff Binkley told CNN affiliate WSB.
Her father said Binkley planned to graduate college in May and had been working on her Teach for America application.
Nancy Van Vessem
Van Vessem, 61, was a doctor who was chief medical director for Capital Health Plan, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. She was also a faculty member at Florida State, Thrasher said.
According to the Florida State College of Medicine’s website, Van Vessem was in charge of coordinating third and fourth year clerkship rotations in internal medicine on the school’s Tallahassee campus. She had gotten her medical degree from St. Louis University, the website said, and her research focus was « restructuring health care for people with multiple chronic diseases. »
Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee shared a tribute to Van Vessem on its Facebook page, calling the doctor « a physician and leader who touched countless lives as Chief Medical Officer at Capital Health Plan. »
« Dr. Van Vessem was part of the Big Bend Hospice community, » the statement said. « She was our friend and a champion for end-of-life care. »
