A somber vigil took place at Florida State University as thousands of students, staff, and faculty gathered to honor the victims of a recent shooting tragedy. The community paid tribute to the two individuals who lost their lives and the six others who were wounded in the violent incident.
The assailant, later identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student from the university, arrived on campus before the shooting unfolded. Armed with a handgun, he moved through buildings and open areas, firing shots just before noon. Within minutes, law enforcement officers engaged with Ikner, ultimately shooting and wounding him.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the deceased; however, family members confirmed that Robert Morales, a dining coordinator at the university and former criminology student, was among them. The second victim was Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old father from South Carolina, employed by food service provider Aramark.
In addition to the deceased, five others suffered gunshot injuries, and another individual was hurt while escaping. Six of the injured were treated at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, with three undergoing surgery. All are expected to recover, though details regarding their identities remain undisclosed.
Following the tragic event, the university canceled classes, though some students returned to campus to collect personal belongings left behind in the chaos. Reflecting the community’s grief, members of the Florida State women’s volleyball team gathered to offer prayers and flowers at the site of the incident.
The investigation revealed that the firearm used by Ikner was a former service weapon belonging to his stepmother, a long-serving member of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. In light of the incident, she has taken personal leave and has been reassigned from her school post.
Ikner, previously involved with the Sheriff’s youth advisory council and a political science major at Florida State, had experienced a tumultuous childhood marked by custody disputes and a subsequent name change. Legal records indicate his biological mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen, took him to Norway against a court order when he was a child, leading to her arrest and imprisonment upon their return to the U.S.
This shooting incident coincided with a forum on campus aimed at combating hate, highlighting ongoing efforts to foster a safer community. The forum was inspired by the memory of Maura Binkley, a student who died in a 2018 mass shooting in Tallahassee.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church began its Good Friday service with a focus on healing and hope. The Rev. R.B. Holmes emphasized a message of overcoming adversity, underscoring the community’s resilience and support for the affected students.