Joseph Leahy dies; professor who survived shooting massacre was 58

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A biology professor who survived being shot in the head during a massacre at the University of Alabama in Huntsville has died of natural causes.

Madison County Coroner Bobby Berryhill tells al.com that Joseph Leahy died of a heart attack. The Madison resident was 58.

An obituary says Leahy died Oct. 15.

Leahy was shot in the head when fellow professor Amy Bishop opened fire during a faculty meeting in 2010. Three people were killed, and Leahy and two others were wounded.

Leahy recovered from his injuries and returned to teaching.

Bishop pleaded guilty and is now serving life without parole.

Leahy was an Iowa native who had taught in the university’s biology department since 2003.