Tallahassee, FL — A shooting at Florida State University left two dead and at least five injured, as the campus community was plunged into chaos on Thursday. Authorities have identified the shooter as a 20-year-old man, the son of a sheriff’s deputy, whose service weapon was used in the attack. The incident sparked a massive response from local emergency services and has drawn national attention, including comments from the President and the state governor.
The violence erupted midday, triggering an immediate lockdown of the university’s sprawling campus. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances and police cars, quickly converged on the scene. Students found themselves barricaded in classrooms and auditoriums, while others, caught unaware, scrambled for safety.
Among the frightened students was Ryan Cedergren, a 21-year-old communications major, who described taking refuge with peers in a campus bowling alley. After escaping the initial danger, Cedergren and around 30 others were escorted to safety by university police. Outside, he witnessed the grim reality of the situation as paramedics attended to an injured individual on the grass.
As news spread, hundreds of students evacuated from the student union, many glued to their phones and seeking comfort in each other’s arms. Closer to the music school, a group huddled together, desperate for updates.
President Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, expressed his dismay over the incident, lamenting the frequency of such violent acts in the country. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis offered his prayers over social media and confirmed state law enforcement’s involvement in managing the crisis.
In the chaotic moments during the lockdown, junior Joshua Sirmans was among those evacuated from the main library, a site previously targeted in a 2014 shooting incident. Like many, he struggled to process the gravity of the situation. “I’m in shock, it’s so hard to believe,” he said, conveying a common sentiment among his peers.
The university, home to approximately 44,000 students, has a history that is now twice marred by violent shootings, drawing parallels to the 2014 incident which also left several wounded. In response to the tragedy, Florida State University canceled all academic activities and events through Sunday, including home athletic events, urging the community to stay clear of the campus.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the Department of Justice was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the FBI, who were on-site to assist with the investigation.
This tragic event underscores ongoing issues surrounding campus safety and gun control, sparking wider discussions on how best to protect educational environments from similar incidents in the future. As the community begins to recover from the shock, the focus shifts toward healing and understanding the circumstances that led to this devastating day at Florida State University.