A tragic shooting unfolded at Florida State University, leaving the campus community in shock and mourning. A 20-year-old individual opened fire, resulting in the deaths of two men and injuries to at least six others. The incident occurred around midday on Thursday outside the student union, prompting students to barricade themselves and flee for safety, abandoning personal belongings in their haste.
As the university grapples with the aftermath, candles and flowers have been placed across the campus in memory of the victims. A vigil has been organized as students and faculty begin the process of healing from the traumatic event.
The gunman, identified as Phoenix Ikner, is believed to be a student at Florida State University and the son of a sheriff’s deputy. Authorities reported that he used his mother’s former service weapon, but the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Law enforcement swiftly responded, and officers shot Ikner after he failed to comply with commands. He is currently hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The victims included two men who were not affiliated with the university. Investigators have stated that Ikner used his mother’s former service handgun, which was retained for personal use following an upgrade in the sheriff’s office weaponry.
According to the Tallahassee Chief of Police, the six injured individuals are in fair condition. Five sustained gunshot wounds, while a sixth was injured while attempting to escape the scene. The shooter had been involved in various programs with the sheriff’s office and was a member of its youth advisory council, which provided him access to firearms.
Emergency services, including ambulances and police vehicles, quickly responded to the active shooter alert. An eyewitness recounted seeing Ikner exit a car with a shotgun, which malfunctioned, before retrieving a handgun and continuing the attack. There is no evidence indicating that the shotgun was used to injure anyone.
Students reacted in fear and panic as shots were fired, with some utilizing their emergency response training to maintain calm in secure locations. A lockdown was initiated, and authorities escorted students to safety.
The shooting has reverberated beyond the campus, drawing national attention. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences and emphasized the role of individuals, rather than firearms, in such incidents. University President Richard McCullough expressed his heartbreak over the tragedy, extending his sympathies to the victims and the university community.
Florida State University, with its main campus in Tallahassee, enrolls approximately 44,000 students. This is not the first time the university has faced such a crisis; a 2014 shooting at the main library resulted in injuries to three individuals before the gunman was neutralized by law enforcement.
In the wake of this recent incident, the university has canceled classes and home athletic events for the remainder of the week as it seeks to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and staff.
