TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The family of an FSU student, killed in a shooting rampage, is turning their heartbreak into something positive for the community.
WTXL ABC 27's Stephen Jiwanmall has more on a new research foundation that will keep Maura Binkley's memory alive.
"I can hear Maura's voice, and that is a voice for change," said Jeff Binkley, Father of Maura Binkley.
Jeff won't get to see his daughter graduate from college. She was killed last November in a shooting at Hot Yoga Tallahassee.
Maura's family said she lived her life loving and looking out for others.
"That was Maura's approach. That's ours, and we're going to do everything we can to continue that approach every day, every week, every month, every year," said Jeff.
Even though Maura wasn't a student at the FSU College of Social Work, the dean said he wanted to do something to honor her memory.
"Maura's death has become an international story," said Dr. James Clark, Dean of FSU College of Social Work.
FSU and the Binkleys created the Maura's Voice Research Fund to dig deeper into gun violence and other issues.
"Florida State University's role is going to be very important to bring fresh ideas and innovations into this area of research," said Dr. Clark.
The school will work with its own scholars and with those across the country to develop the most effective ways to handle real-world issues.
So far, an initial fundraiser has already met its goal with just about a month left.
Maura's father says there's more to come.
"That voice still needs to be heard. We're going to do everything we can to make sure that's the case," said Jeff.
Maura's Voice will officially launch in Tallahassee on March 4.
That would've been Maura's 22nd birthday.
