Friends pay tribute to 'brilliant and kind' university professor gunned down in murder-suicide

Colleagues have paid tribute to a university professor killed in a "murder-suicide" at the University of California campus in America.

Two men died in the shooting which led to a full campus lockdown.

One of the dead was named as William Klug, a professor of mechanical engineering, who was gunned down in an engineering building office.

The married father of two young children, Professor Klug is described as both "brilliant and kind" by friends.

Colleagues of the 39-year-old told The Associated Press he was a "kind, gentle person".

Alan Garfinkel, a professor of integrative biology and physiology who worked with Klug said: "I am absolutely devastated. You cannot ask for a nicer, gentler, sweeter and more supportive guy than William Klug."

UCLA biology and chemistry Professor Charles Knobler said those who knew Klug were in shock.

He described the professor as "a very lively, lovable, likable guy".

He loved surfing and frequently took his family to Los Angeles Dodgers games, reported the LA Times.

The professor had faith in God, previously telling Westmont Magazine: “I developed a habit of relying on God for what I felt was beyond my ability to control or what I couldn’t do for myself,” he says. “It helps me keep things in the right perspective.”

A fundraising page has been set up to help "support he family and college for his son and daughter".

Friends and UCLA alumni paid tribute to the professor.

UCLA Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Scott Waugh said: "I want to say that our hearts go out to the victims."