Four people died after an adult nursing student went on a shooting spree at the University of Arizona on Oct. 28.
Robert Flores Jr., 41, shot and killed three people at the university before turning the gun on himself. Two of his victims were female professors at the university, and the third was a staff member.
Elizabeth Irvin, the Vice Provost of the University, said that Flores had failed a pediatric nursing class and was struggling in his critical care.
The shooting began at around 8:30 a.m. Senior Julie Raymond said that she was taking an exam in the classroom when Flores came in.
“We just thought that he was late for the test. Then he started talking to instructors and fired shots,” she said. “All of us ducked under the tables and then ran out of the room. At first, I thought it was a joke and realized it wasn’t when I heard the shots.”
“A group of people were crying and running desperately to get out of the building,” said Anu Nigam, another student. “They were crying, tripping over one another, falling down.”
The surrounding areas were immediately cleared as the SWAT team flooded the building.
Fellow student Lori Schenkel said she had several classes with Flores and said that he had obtained a concealed weapon permit a year ago.
“He was just a very aggravated student, a rude, obnoxious type of person. He came across as very aggressive and mean, and seemed to have a lot of issues with being angry,” she said.
There were rumors that Flores threatened to blow up the school and as a result, bomb squad members were called in after the shooting had ended.
Flores was a Persian Gulf War veteran and worked at the Southern Arizona Veterans Administration Health Care System as a licensed practical nurse. He was studying to become a registered nurse.
The victims were Robin Rogers, 50, Barbara Monroe, 45, and Cheryl McGaffic, 44. Student lda Rosano said Rogers was a really great teacher.
“She always had her door open. If you need to see her, you just walk right in.”
Flores left two children and an ex-wife behind.