A tragic mass shooting unfolded on the campus of Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on Thursday, leaving at least two people dead and six others injured. The shooting occurred near the Student Union, causing panic among students and faculty as law enforcement and emergency responders rushed to the scene.
According to the authorities, the shooter, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a student at FSU and the son of a local sheriff’s deputy, opened fire near the university’s Student Union. The gunfire resulted in the death of two individuals, although police have confirmed that neither victim was a student of the university. Six other people were injured during the attack and were quickly transported to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. Fortunately, all six injured victims were reported to be in fair condition.
The shooting took place in broad daylight, sending the university’s campus into chaos. In response, law enforcement agencies, including local police and the FBI, immediately swarmed the area. Ikner, who was armed with a handgun and a shotgun, was confronted by officers and was shot during the exchange. He was later hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and taken into custody.
Phoenix Ikner, who was arrested following the attack, is the son of a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Walter McNeil confirmed. His mother, a long-serving officer with the department, has been with the force for over 18 years and is considered a dedicated public servant. Authorities have revealed that Ikner had access to his mother’s personal weapons, one of which was found at the scene of the shooting.
Ikner had also been involved with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Advisory Council for several years. Sheriff McNeil mentioned that Ikner had participated in multiple training programs, which indicated that he had access to firearms. This detail has raised further concerns about how he came to be in possession of weapons despite his background.
The suspect’s actions on Thursday have left many shocked, particularly given his ties to law enforcement and his prior involvement in community youth programs. The shooting incident has prompted law enforcement agencies to launch an in-depth investigation into the motives behind the attack.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, students were left in a state of terror. Paula Maldonado, a sophomore at FSU, was in class near the Student Union when she first heard yelling outside. Moments later, the active threat alarm sounded, causing the students to react quickly. They immediately turned off the lights, barricaded the door with desks, and hid. Some students were frightened, others were crying, and several even used their backpacks as shields.
“We were quiet and some were whispering,” Maldonado recounted. “Some were also crying and helping each other. Like a student next to me told me to put my backpack in front of me to protect myself.”
It was only after a few moments that a police officer entered the room. At first, many students feared the officer was the shooter, but it was later confirmed that the officer was part of the response team. Maldonado and her fellow students were then instructed to leave the building with their hands up, making the tense situation even more unsettling.
Daniella Streety, another student, was in a building across the street from the Student Union when the alert sirens went off. She recalled how people who were outside rushed into her building for safety. The chaos intensified as students fled from the Student Union, and law enforcement quickly arrived on the scene to take control of the situation.
As the shooting unfolded, Fred Guttenberg, a prominent gun reform advocate whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting, expressed his heartbreak. He revealed that some of Jaime’s former classmates now attend FSU and had been caught up in Thursday’s horrific event. Guttenberg, who has become a strong advocate for gun control following the loss of his daughter, wrote on social media:
“Incredibly, some of them were just a part of their second school shooting and some were in the student union today. As a father, all I ever wanted after the Parkland shooting was to help our children be safe. Sadly, because of the many people who refuse to do the right things about reducing gun violence, I am not surprised by what happened today.”
The mass shooting also prompted reactions from various officials, including President Donald Trump, who was briefed on the situation. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed her sorrow, stating, “My heart breaks for the students, their families, and faculty at Florida State University. There is no place in American society for violence. Our entire nation is praying for the victims and their families.”
Florida State University responded quickly to the crisis, with the campus immediately being secured by law enforcement. The university’s administration announced that all classes were canceled through Friday, allowing for further investigation and ensuring the safety of all students and staff.
FSU’s President, John Thrasher, offered condolences to the families of the victims and reassured students that the university was taking all necessary steps to ensure their safety in the wake of the tragedy. The university also promised to provide counseling services for students and faculty affected by the incident.
Authorities confirmed that they had established a secure perimeter around the campus, and additional law enforcement personnel were stationed throughout the area as part of the ongoing investigation.
As news of the shooting spread, calls for stricter gun control laws intensified. Advocates for gun reform have long argued that the United States must take stronger action to prevent gun violence, particularly on school campuses. The Florida State University shooting adds to the growing list of gun-related tragedies that have rocked the country, further highlighting the need for legislative action.
