A tragic shooting unfolded at Florida State University, leaving two men dead and at least six others injured. The incident prompted students to flee for safety, abandoning personal belongings in their haste. By the following day, the campus was dotted with memorials of candles and flowers, as the university community came together for a scheduled vigil to begin the healing process.
During the chaos, students shared images of an impromptu memorial near the Student Union building, capturing the somber mood that enveloped the Tallahassee campus. The shooting, which began around lunchtime, was perpetrated by a 20-year-old, identified as Phoenix Ikner, who is believed to be a student at the university and the stepson of a sheriff’s deputy. Authorities reported that Ikner used his stepmother’s former service weapon to carry out the attack. Despite law enforcement’s rapid response, the gunman was wounded when he refused to comply with police commands.
The victims, two of whom were deceased, were not affiliated with the university. The wounded, who were either struck by gunfire or injured while escaping, were reported to be in fair condition. The shooter’s access to the weapon was facilitated by his involvement with the sheriff’s office’s youth advisory council, which connected him to law enforcement and firearms.
The situation escalated when emergency services rushed to the scene following an active shooter alert. Witness accounts described the shooter’s initial attempt to use a shotgun, which jammed, prompting him to switch to a handgun. One student, Aidan Stickney, recalled witnessing the shooter and narrowly escaping harm. Another student, Holden Mendez, recounted using his emergency response training to calm fellow students during the crisis.
In response to the tragedy, President Donald Trump expressed his sorrow but did not advocate for new gun legislation, emphasizing that people, not guns, are responsible for shootings. University President Richard McCullough also expressed deep sorrow for the victims and the student community.
This recent shooting adds to a history of violence at Florida State University, which previously experienced a shooting at its main library in 2014. In light of the current incident, the university canceled classes and events to ensure safety and provide space for mourning.