21-year-old student from DeKalb identified as Florida yoga studio shooting victim

TALLAHASSEE — Channel 2 Action News has learned one of the two victims in a deadly Florida yoga studio shooting was from the metro area.

Florida State student Maura Binkley, 21, was a 2015 graduate of Dunwoody High School.

Channel 2's Michael Seiden spoke with Binkley's father by phone on Saturday night. Jeff Binkley said the family is currently in Tallahassee surrounded by family and friends.

Binkley said he is trying to understand why his daughter's killer would carry out such a violent attack at such a peaceful place. He said his daughter was a young woman who dedicated her life to peace, love and happiness.

"Maura truly lived a life really devoted to peace, love and caring for others," Binkley said.

Not only was she such a compassionate young woman, Binkley said Maura was also a superstar in the classroom.

Binkley said Maura earned an academic scholarship to Florida State University and was in the running for a Fulbright Scholarship. She planned to graduate in May with a double major in journalism and Germna.

Her real passion, though, her father said, was giving back to her community.

[RELATED: 3 dead, including shooter, at Florida yoga studio, police say]

"Our last conversation, she was so excited about the Teach for America process and preparing a sample lesson plan," Binkley said.

Binkley said his daughter may be gone, but he hopes her tragedy will lead to change. He said he hopes her senseless death will be "a vehicle for change to stem the tide of violence that threats to literally overwhelm our society.”

A vigil is planned for tomorrow night on the campus of FSU.

The family is also planning a public memorial service for November 25 at St. James United Methodist Church on Peachtree Dunwoody Road.

Cox Media Group