Florida State U. prof Dan Markel slain in home shooting

Marcy Oster

(JTA) — Popular Florida State University law professor Dan Markel died after being shot in his home.

Markel died Saturday morning, a day after being discovered shot in the back in his home and taken to the hospital, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. He was 41.

“I am deeply saddened to report that our colleague Dan Markel passed away early this morning,” said FSU Law School Dean Donald Weidner in a statement issued Saturday. “As many of you are already aware, Dan was fatally injured in a shooting incident that took place yesterday and which is still under active investigation by local authorities.”

No suspects have been identified in the shooting attack, the Democrat reported.

A memorial service was held at Congregation Shomrei Torah on Sunday; a memorial service will be held at the university in the fall when students return to campus.

Markel was a graduate of Harvard Law School and primarily taught criminal law at Florida State.

Markel’s writings have been featured in the New York Times, Slate and The Atlantic. He is the author of the 2009 book ” Privilege or Punish: Criminal Justice and the Challenge of Family Ties.” He also wrote a law blog called “Prawfsblawg.”

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