Police shot dead a gunman who disrupted the silence at the Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday after he opened fire inside the library and wounded three people.

The gunman, who was identified as 2005 FSU graduate Myron May, critically injured one of his victims. The two others who were shot are now in good condition, according to CNN.

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After the gunshots rang out, students frantically sent text messages warning their fellows to avoid getting close to the windows and to find a safe hiding place. Authorities safely escorted some of the students to another building and were instructed to board the bus that will take them away from the school.

In less than five minutes after the first gunfire was reported, Florida State and Tallahassee police forces arrived at the scene and immediately located the shooter just outside Strozier Library. May, however, refused to surrender even after the officers told him to drop his gun.

"The suspect did not comply with the commands, and actually shot at one of the officers," recounted Tallahassee police spokesperson David Northway. "They returned fire, and the subject was killed."

In the wake of the violent incident, FSU cancelled all its classes and exams on Thursday. The school also offered counselling to individuals affected by the shooting.

Authorities have already launched an investigation to determine the root cause of the shooting. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo said May's motives for the shooting are still murky.

May kept a journal and videos which suggest he was afraid he was being targeted, DeLeo detailed. Upon review of the files and videos, they think the shooter was experiencing a "state of crisis," the police chief added.

Meanwhile, DeLeo assured the citizens of Florida that the FSU shooting was just an isolated event and that there are no more threats to the school and the community at present.

Although the Florida State shooting was a bad incident, authorities think that it could have worsened if they had not responded immediately. Mayor-elect Andrew Gillum chose to see the positive side of the situation and said he is thankful that the number of victims did not go higher, CNN reported.

TagsFSU shooting, Florida State, Florida State University, Myron May, Florida shooter