Update: Police looking to identify car in Markel case
Update:
The Tallahassee Police Department is seeking information on a car seen in the area where Dan Markel was killed Friday.
"This is only a vehicle of interest as it may have been a resident, passerby or delivery driver," a written TPD release said.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about this vehicle or a similar vehicle to call TPD at the designated tip line for this case at 891-4462. TPD has received more than 50 tips to the tip line and are continuing to follow leads, TPD said.
TPD has also received several video images of the roadways surrounding the incident location. Chief Michael DeLeo is asking anyone with personal video surveillance cameras who live in the Trescott Drive area to contact the tip line.
"Our hope is one of those cameras could provide us with a piece of vital information to bring this terrible tragedy to a close for all of those involved," DeLeo said.
Anyone with information on this case should call the TPD tip line or call CrimeStoppers at 574-8477.
Original:
Dan Markel died from a gunshot wound to the head, Tallahassee Police announced Tuesday.
In a written release, TPD Chief Michael DeLeo said while specific information and details on the homicide cannot be disclosed, the Violent Crimes unit decided to share the cause of Markel's death. the
"TPD will strive to release updates in a timely manner," DeLeo said, "but must protect the integrity of the case so that we can assure a favorable outcome once this case is brought before the judicial system."
Police said Monday that Markel, a 41-year-old FSU law professor and father of two, was the "intended victim" in the case.
Markel's neighbor called police at 11:02 a.m. Friday reporting that a "loud bang" came from Markel's two-story home in the 2100 block of Trescott Drive in Betton Hills, according to a mostly redacted TPD incident report obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat. Police were dispatched at 11:07 a.m. and arrived at 11:15 a.m.
Once there, police found a wounded Markel, who was rushed to the hospital where he died early Saturday morning.
The entire incident occurred from 10:45 a.m. to 11:02 a.m., the report said. Police looked at a vehicle but redacted other information.
Northway didn't reveal key investigative details Tuesday due to the ongoing investigation.
"This case will go hopefully to a state attorney attorney's office and then before a judge and we would not want to release any information in this case that would jeopardize that," Northway said. "We'll do everything we can to get you updates but at times we do not dictate how fast the case goes."
Northway did not speak about whether Markel knew the person or people who killed him and how many shots were fired.
"There are probably only two people that we know of that would know that question," he said. "One is Mr. Markel and one is the suspect or suspects in this case."
Information about where Markel's body was found — in the house, the garage or outside — hasn't been released.
"Our investigators have been in contact with anybody who knew Mr. Markel that we are aware of," Northway said. "We have not named a specific suspect or suspects in this case at this time."
The reward for any information from CrimeStoppers leading to an arrest in the case has been upped from $1,000 to $3,000. The CrimeStoppers tip line is 574-TIPS. A dedicated tip line for information regarding the case also remains open. That number is 891-4462. TPD officials said many have called and all leads are being investigated.
"Remember, any one piece of information could be the one we need to bring this tragedy to a close," DeLeo said in the release. "We encourage anyone who may have been in the area of Trescott Drive on Friday to call us.
Markel was revered for his work in the legal community. Many of his colleagues from across the academic world have written memorials since his death.
Dave Aronberg, state attorney in South Florida's 15th Judicial Circuit and a former state senator, knew Markel through a Harvard alumni group. Both attended Harvard Law School.
"For those of us who knew him it's tough to take and impossible to explain," Aronberg said. "He's a great, self-effacing, down-to-earth guy who didn't seem to have many enemies in this world."
Monday morning, representatives from TPD met with the Florida State College of Law to discuss safety policies related to Markel's death, said Jeanette Dediemar, FSU spokeswoman. Northway said the meeting focused on "information that was probably part of the case."
