An Arizona man was charged with the first-degree murder of University of Arizona professor Thomas Meixner. Murad Dervish (46) was also hit with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a deadly weapon, endangerment, and burglary.
Dervish has been described as a former University of Arizona grad student while Meixner was over the Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences department.
Former University of Arizona Grad Student Charged with the First-Degree Murder of Respected Professor
The shooting occurred on October 5, 2022 in the Harshbarger Building—where Meixner’s department resides. There are details unknown such as how the two knew each other but currently, the murder is still being investigated.
What is known is that Dervish was expelled from the university—which could be tied to the shooting—and barred from the campus. There was also a flyer passed among campus staff with Dervish’s picture and orders to contact 911 if he showed up again.
This was someone considered a threat on the University of Arizona grounds for making threats and harassing others.
University president Robert Robbins issued a letter to the faculty and students on October 24 where he pointed out that he tried to get Dervish charged before. However, he claims that he was told that the evidence was scant. County Attorney Laura Conover confirmed as much:
“In neither instance did the facts of the complaint meet the evidentiary requirements for charging (Dervish) with the crime of threats and intimidation at that time.”
Murad Dervish was arraigned on October 24 and remains behind bars without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on October 27.
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