In a tragic incident at Florida State University, two individuals lost their lives and six others sustained injuries when a gunman opened fire on the Tallahassee campus. The shooter, identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student at the university and the son of a sheriff’s deputy, used his mother’s former service weapon in the attack. The confrontation ended after Ikner was shot and wounded by officers for not complying with their commands. The university went into lockdown following the incident, which unfolded around lunchtime near the student union. The authorities have yet to determine a motive behind the shooting.
As investigations continue, the identities of the victims remain undisclosed by officials. However, family members have confirmed that Robert Morales, a university employee, was among those who lost their lives. Morales worked as a dining coordinator at Florida State, a position he had held since 2015. His brother, Ricardo Morales Jr., shared his sorrow on social media, remembering Robert as someone who cherished his work, family, and life.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Morales studied criminology at Florida State in the early 1990s. He also served as the CEO of Black Bean Food Group, although state records indicate the business dissolved about a decade ago.
Robert Morales belonged to a notable family with a complex history. His father, Ricardo Morales, known by the nickname “Monkey,” was a Cuban exile who later became a CIA operative in South Florida. Ricardo Morales Jr. explores his father’s intriguing life in his forthcoming book, “Monkey Morales: The True Story of a Mythic Cuban Exile, Assassin, CIA Operative, FBI Informant, Smuggler, and Dad,” set for release later this year. The elder Morales, infamous for his high-profile escapades, was fatally shot in a bar altercation in 1982 at the age of 43.