Florida State Shooting Update: 2 Dead, 6 Wounded; Shooter in Custody

A tragic incident unfolded at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, Florida, when a shooting claimed the lives of two people and left six others injured on Thursday. The victims, one of whom is in critical condition, are currently receiving medical treatment at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. The deceased victims were not affiliated with the university or law enforcement.

Suspect Identified: Phoenix Ikner

The shooter has been identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student at FSU and the son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy. Authorities recovered a former service weapon belonging to his mother at the scene. It was revealed that his mother, who had served with the sheriff’s office for over 18 years, was allowed to purchase the weapon for personal use.

Details of the Shooting Incident

The shooting took place just before noon on Thursday near the student union building. FSU’s sprawling campus was quickly placed on lockdown as law enforcement responded to the situation. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, assisted in securing the area.

FSU President Richard McCullough expressed his heartbreak over the incident, calling it a tragic day for the university. “We are deeply devastated by the violence that occurred on our campus today,” he said in a statement.

Authorities reported that Ikner did not comply with commands from law enforcement and was shot in the process. He was subsequently taken into custody and is receiving medical attention. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting, and it is believed that Ikner acted alone.

Campus on Lockdown

In response to the active shooter situation, the university issued an alert urging students to shelter in place. Hours later, FSU announced that law enforcement had neutralized the threat. However, multiple buildings near the student union remained part of an active crime scene. All university events and classes were canceled for the remainder of the week, including home athletic events through Sunday.

Nearby Florida A&M University also canceled classes for the day, as the situation continued to unfold. Students were evacuated from campus buildings, with alarms blaring in the background.

Local and National Reactions

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his support for the FSU community, saying that state law enforcement was actively responding to the situation. “Our prayers are with the FSU family,” he wrote in a post.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also assured the public that his office was responding to the incident. “We will provide updates as they become available,” he said.

Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting, expressed his heartbreak over the incident, noting that some of Jaime’s classmates were present at the FSU campus during the attack. “As a father, all I ever wanted after the Parkland shooting was to help our children be safe. Sadly, because of the many people who refuse to do the right things about reducing gun violence, I am not surprised by what happened today,” he wrote in a post.

Impact on the FSU Community

The shooting has left the FSU community in shock, with many reflecting on the severity of gun violence in educational institutions. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debates around gun control and safety in schools.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities continue to investigate the incident and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While the shooter has been apprehended, questions remain about the motive and how he had access to the weapon used in the attack.

This tragic event at Florida State University highlights the need for continued dialogue on gun safety and the protection of students in academic environments. As the investigation unfolds, our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire FSU community during this difficult time.