TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The family of murdered University of Arizona Professor Thomas Meixner has agreed to accept $2.5 million from the Arizona Board of Regents to settle claims related to the murder.
The family originally demanded $9 million in the death. After the murder, it was revealed the University knew of a history of threats from the expelled student now charged with the murder—long before Mexiner was shot and killed in his office at the Atmospheric Sciences building.
KGUN9 obtained documents that detail the agreement.
The settlement also requires the University to provide continuing mental health care for people affected.
Additionally, the University will create an endowed professorship in Thomas Meixner's name.
In a statement released by the family’s lawyers, Meixner’s widow Kathleen said, in part:
“So often in the aftermath of school shootings, we learn all the ways that they could and should have been prevented. That is exactly what happened here. Tom’s murder revealed missed opportunities, even though efforts by the Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences department were exemplary in communicating a credible threat and seeking help to protect the U of A community. But we must look to the future, and with urgency, ensuring that tragedies like ours do not happen to others….”
After the murder UA commissioned a study that recommended 33 steps to improve safety on campus. The family says it supports those steps and will continue meeting with University leaders to be sure UA lives up to those commitments.
——-
Craig Smith is a reporter for KGUN 9. With more than 40 years of reporting in cities like Tampa, Houston and Austin, Craig has covered more than 40 Space Shuttle launches and covered historic hurricanes like Katrina, Ivan, Andrew and Hugo. Share your story ideas and important issues with Craig by emailing craig.smith@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook and Twitter.
