Barbara Jo Storry Monroe, a 45-year-old female, was an accomplished nurse and a passionate teacher, known for being a caring mentor to her students. She, along with her husband Don, had built a close-knit group of friends in Tucson, Arizona, who were a significant part of their lives. Her dedication to her family was evident when she took extended time off to care for her father and a cousin during their battles with terminal cancer.
On October 28, 2002, a tragic event unfolded at the
University of Arizona's College of Nursing. Robert Stewart Flores Jr., a 40-year-old student, entered the building and fatally shot three of his nursing professors. Barbara Monroe was one of the victims, along with 44-year-old Cheryl McGaffic and 50-year-old Robin Rogers. The assailant then took his own life at the scene of the horrific attack.
The incident was a murder-suicide, and as the perpetrator died at the scene, there was no arrest or subsequent trial. The motive for the shooting was believed to be related to academic difficulties Flores was experiencing. The loss of Barbara and her colleagues was deeply felt by their families, friends, and the university community, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew and loved them.
