University of Arizona tried to get Murad Dervish charged before fatal shooting of Thomas Meixner

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD Information 13) – The College of Arizona stated it tried to get suspect Murad Can Dervish charged two separate occasions earlier than a deadly taking pictures on campus earlier this month.

However in each instances, the Pima County Lawyer’s Workplace decided there wasn’t sufficient proof.

Authorities stated Dervish walked onto campus Oct. 5 and fatally shot Dr. Thomas Meixner, the pinnacle of the Division of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. Dervish had been a graduate scholar in this system earlier than he was banned from the varsity in January and expelled in June.

College of Arizona President Dr. Robert Robbins stated the varsity took a number of steps to maintain Dervish off campus, together with in search of expenses for threats Dervish allegedly made towards Meixner and others.

Pima County Lawyer Laura Conover stated there simply wasn’t sufficient proof to maneuver ahead with expenses.

“In neither occasion did the information of the criticism meet the evidentiary necessities for charging him with the crime of threats and intimidation,” Conover stated in an e-mail launched Monday. “Our workplace bases felony expenses on the proof introduced, which should rise to the Constitutional commonplace of proof past an affordable doubt.”

In a letter despatched out hours earlier than Conover’s e-mail, Robbins talked about a number of different steps the varsity took when coping with Dervish.

In January 2022, Dervish was banned from campus and the college began the method to expel him the next month.

Robbins stated the varsity then handed pictures of Dervish round with directions on what to do if he confirmed again up. The varsity additionally modified the codes to rooms Dervish had entry to.

Robbins stated the varsity tried to contact Dervish’s earlier instructional establishment (San Diego State) “to determine extra details about his historical past however to no avail.”

Robbins stated the UAPD went to Dervish’s house twice to speak to him about threats he had allegedly made towards employees. Officers have been in a position to meet with him solely as soon as.

Dervish was formally expelled in June 2022 following an enchantment listening to. That included a everlasting ban from campus and all college actions.

In August, the varsity began diverting emails from Dervish in order that they might be reviewed by the UAPD and “sure different events.”

The 46-year-old Dervish is now dealing with expenses of first-degree homicide and aggravated assault in reference to the deadly taking pictures of Meixner.

In her e-mail, Conover additionally laid blame on Arizona lawmakers for not passing any crimson flag legal guidelines.

Crimson flag legal guidelines enable a choose to remove an individual’s proper to own a weapon whether it is deemed they’re a menace to themselves or another person.

“Crimson Flag Legal guidelines in impact in almost half the states range concerning their guidelines and enforcement, however they supply a chance to take away weapons from the arms of those that are identified to current a menace to themselves or others,” Conover stated. “A Crimson Flag invoice didn’t move in Arizona.”

Robbins stated the unbiased evaluate of the incident will proceed and that leaders will likely be assembly with college and employees over the approaching weeks.

“As , final week I introduced a broad, unbiased professional evaluate of our campus safety, which can embody how the College dealt with the issues involving the shooter,” Robbins stated. “Within the weeks forward, members of the administration will meet with college and employees from each faculty throughout campus to take heed to your considerations, to obtain your strategies and to reply your questions as we’re in a position.”

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