D. Preston Lowrey III was 44 and an associate professor of mechanical engineering at San Diego State University when he was killed on August 15, 1996, during what is known as the San Diego State University shooting. The attack took place in a third-floor engineering classroom while a graduate student, Frederick Martin Davidson, was defending his master’s thesis. Davidson brought a 9mm Taurus PT92 hidden in a first-aid kit, opened fire without warning, and shot three professors.

Lowrey was shot after attempting to flee through the main doorway; he was shot multiple times and collapsed and died in the doorway. Colleagues Chen Liang and Constantinos Lyrintzis were also killed after being shot in the same incident. Davidson called 9-1-1, surrendered to SDSU police in the hallway, and was booked for investigation of murder.

A campus memorial with three trees, tables and benches with plaques was dedicated in 2003. Anyone who knew Lowrey or has information about the events of August 15, 1996, is asked to come forward.