A tragic incident unfolded at Florida State University when a gunman opened fire at the Student Union, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to six others. The suspect, identified as Phoenix Ikner, is the son of a Leon County deputy and allegedly used his mother’s personal firearm, which was previously her service weapon.
In the aftermath, the Tallahassee police have cordoned off the neighborhood where Ikner resides. The revelation of his identity sent shock waves through the community. Ikner, now 20 years old, attended Lincoln High School in Tallahassee and is currently believed to be a student at Florida State University. Notably, he had been active in the Youth Advisory Council with the sheriff’s office, participating in various training programs.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed that the gun used in the shooting belonged to Ikner’s mother, a veteran with over 18 years on the force. Sheriff McNeil expressed no surprise regarding Ikner’s access to firearms, given his involvement with the sheriff’s office family and training initiatives.
The sheriff emphasized the gravity of the crime, categorizing it as heinous and ensuring the community that justice will be pursued vigorously. He stated that the objective is to convey a strong message against such acts of violence in Leon County and beyond.
As the Florida State University community grapples with the tragedy, authorities continue their investigation, seeking to unravel the motives behind this devastating event.
