Yoga studio shooting hero gets $30,000 in tuition help from Florida State University trustees

Byron Dobson | Tallahassee Democrat

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The man hailed as a hero for his efforts during a shooting at a Florida yoga studio earlier this month will receive $30,000 to cover law school costs at Florida State University.

Florida State University President John Thrasher and the university's board of trustees pledged their personal money Nov. 16 to cover the costs for Joshua Quick.

Quick, a second-year law student at Florida State University, fought off a gunman with a vacuum cleaner and a broom Nov. 2 at the Hot Yoga studio in Tallahassee.

Two people, Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, an internist and medical director for Capital Health Plan, and Maura Binkley, a 21-year-old student majoring in German and English at Florida State, were killed in the shooting.

Five other people were wounded.

Quick, in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” said after shooter Scott Beierle fired shots inside the studio, he confronted him with a vacuum cleaner, hitting him over the head when the shooter’s weapon stopped firing.

Nov. 5: 'He saved my life': Joshua Quick fought off yoga studio gunman with vacuum, broom

Nov. 5: Florida yoga studio gunman was fired from substitute teaching in two counties

Quick was pistol-whipped and bloodied, but went after Beierle again, hitting him with a broom. The exchange allowed others to escape the studio.

Beirle was found dead inside from a self-inflicted gunshot.

During the Nov. 16 meeting, Thrasher praised the efforts of Quick, who has downplayed the "hero" label describing him since the incident.

Last week prior to the trustees' announcement, Quick also received the "Key to the City" from Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

Nov. 4: Tallahassee yoga studio gunman gave off 'psychopath vibe' as substitute teacher

Nov. 3: 'She just wanted people to be happy and healthy': Yoga shooting victim a dedicated doctor

Thrasher told trustees he didn’t have a key to offer, but instead, wanted to make sure Quick’s law school expenses are covered.

“We are going to start an effort to take care of the rest of his time at our law school,” Thrasher said after bringing Quick to the front of the room.

“I want you to know how much gratitude we have for what you did,” Thrasher told Quick.

Quick, standing before trustees at the Turnbull Conference Center, thanked Thrasher in brief remarks before leaving the room.

“I want to offer my gratitude to everybody,” he said. “Thank you all for the recognition I don’t feel I deserve.”

Nov. 3: Maura Binkley, victim in Tallahassee yoga studio shooting, 'just wanted to help other people'

Nov. 3: Scott Beierle, gunman in Tallahassee yoga studio shooting, remembered as 'really creepy'

After a break, board Chairman Ed Burr passed out pledge cards to members to indicate their support. Thrasher said he was hoping to raise $35,000 to $45,000 to cover Quick’s tuition and expenses.

“I’m confident we will rally the necessary resources to do the right thing for what he did for the people in that room,” Thrasher later said.

Thrasher said the contributions would go through the Florida State University Foundation earmarked for the FSU College of Law general scholarship fund.

By the end of the meeting, Burr announced trustees had responded with $30,000.

Burr said it was clear trustees were moved by the tragedy and Quick’s efforts.

“This young man saved lives in a moment of stress," said Burr. "He responded heroically.

“That’s a pretty impressive number for a smaller board to come up with in a few hours.”

Thrasher said he and his wife, Jean, and members of his leadership team plan to attend a celebration of life for Binkley on Nov. 25, in Atlanta.

Follow Byron Dobson on Twitter: @byrondobson

Nov. 3: State Rep. Kristin Jacobs, who represents Parkland, was witness to aftermath of Tallahassee yoga studio shooting

Nov. 3: 'Senseless act': Gunman posed as customer before opening fire at Tallahassee yoga studio

To contribute:

Checks can be made to “The FSU Foundation” and mailed to The FSU Foundation, 323 W. College Ave., Tallahassee, Fl 32301-9969, or, go online at http://foundation.fsu.edu. Checks should be earmarked: FSU College of Law General Scholarship Fund.