Missouri Southern State University assistant football coach Derek Moore was shot Friday outside a Joplin, Mo., theater and later died.
Joplin police said Moore was shot as he was leaving the theater. He died later at a hospital, and the school canceled this weekend's homecoming activities, including its football game, as a result of the tragedy.
"We are stunned and deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our prayers are with Derek's family," Missouri State Interim president Alan Marble said in a statement. "We are ensuring that our employees and students have the emotional support they need during this difficult time."
Moore was in his first year on the Missouri Southern football staff as offensive line coach. He came to the school after three seasons at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill.
Police say a 39-year-old suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting and was being held at the Joplin City Jail pending formal charges. He was identified as Jeffery L. Bruner, 39, of Joplin, according to The Joplin Globe.
"Derek was new to Missouri Southern but he was embraced by our campus and community," Lions head football coach Daryl Daye said in a statement. "He was a very likeable person who always had a smile on his face and made friends easily with our staff and players. This is an unspeakable loss for the MSSU athletics family."
Moore is survived by a 7-year-old son.
In 2011 the city of Joplin was ravaged by a tornado.
MORE: Notable sports deaths of 2013 | College football Week 10 scoreboard
The Associated Press contributed to this report.