The man who police say shot two women to death and wounded five other people at a yoga studio before killing himself was reportedly a self-described misogynist who had a record of harassing women in the area.
Scott Paul Beierle, 40, had videos online in which he “spewed misogynistic and racist vitriol — and railed against all the women who had turned him down,” according to The New York Times.
“Made one date, didn’t show up,” he said in one video “Made another date, didn’t show up. Kept making excuses. Ah, I could’ve ripped her head off.”
In another video, Beierle discusses how to “punish” promiscuous women. “I would vote for crucifixion myself,” he said. “The most heinous crime warrants the most heinous punishment.”
The Times also reported that Beierle was sympathetic toward Elliot Rodger, who killed six people and injured 14 others in 2014 after expressing his disgust at women online and urging incels — AKA involuntary celibates — to “fight back.”
Throughout his life, Bierle had been arrested at least twice; once for battery against women. While a student at Florida State University, Beierle was even banned from campus after he followed a volleyball coach into a gym.
On Friday, Beierle first entered the yoga studio by posing as a costumer. He began firing a handgun, and despite the yoga students fighting back, Maura Binkley and Nancy Van Vessem were killed.
FSU President John Trasher responded to the incident on Twitter.
We feel this loss profoundly and we send our deepest sympathies to Maura’s and Nancy’s loved ones while we pray for the recovery of those who were injured. 2/2
— President John Thrasher (@FSUPresThrasher) November 3, 2018
Police are still investigating the incident.