The doors have been closed for three days at the Wexner Center for the Arts after a man shot up artwork then killed himself inside the gallery.
“Currently open right now is the Wexner Center store and the Heirloom Café,” Wexner Center for the Arts Public Relations manager Erik Pepple said.
Coffee is still consumed, gifts purchased and movies taken in inside. But closed signs, a steel gate and heavy locks make it clear, the art gallery is off limits. This sparks emotion in students and staff.
“It is a very difficult situation for staff, for family, for all folks directly connected and involved with this,” Pepple said.
Still no tally for exactly how much artwork was damaged by 63-year old Dean Sturgis, the former security guard who shot up the gallery then killed himself Sunday.
People are seen periodically moving behind the screens, we're told, checking the 150 pieces included in the modern art exhibit.
“There is a very thorough process going on looking at the state of the work and the state of the galleries,” Pepple said.
Some students struggled with walking back into the building for class.
“It's the worst thing that's happened since I've been on campus,” student Dequindra Johnson said. “It's just hard to believe, I’m glad I wasn't here for it.”
It was a tense situation. You can hear it in the 911 calls.
“He's in the gallery marking up the art and shooting,” Wexner’s Director of Security told the 911 operator. “We need someone over here quickly.”
The modern art exhibit is permanently closed. 10TV is told assessing the damage is a long process. The next exhibit doesn't open in the gallery until February.