TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A tragic shooting at Florida State University has resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left six others wounded, officials reported. The incident unfolded on Thursday around noon when 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a student at the university and son of a local sheriff’s deputy, opened fire near the student union.
FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower confirmed the casualties and said that the shooter is receiving medical treatment. The two deceased were not students of the university. The identity of the gunman was disclosed by Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil in a later news conference. Ikner had reportedly used his mother’s service weapon, which was also found at the scene.
In the wake of the violence, the university was placed on lockdown, with a “shelter in place” order issued that lasted several hours. Law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the campus building by building. This protocol was lifted only after officers secured the area and neutralized the threat.
The hospitalization of the wounded was handled by Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. According to Chief Trumbower, the extent of their injuries varied, but they were all receiving necessary medical attention.
Amid the chaos, hundreds of students were seen evacuating the area, many emotionally distressed and seeking comfort in their peers. The university announced a cancellation of all classes and business operations through Friday, April 18, as the campus community begins to process and recover from the day’s events.
The shooting prompted an enormous response from state officials and law enforcement. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his condolences and support through social media, assuring the public that state law enforcement was actively handling the situation. The tragedy occurs just weeks before the scheduled commencement ceremonies on May 2 and May 3.
This incident marks another dark day for FSU, recalling the 2014 shooting at Strozier Library that also left three people injured. The shooter in that case, an alumnus of the university, was fatally shot by the police.
FSU has asked anyone with information or relevant recordings of the incident to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation. The FBI has also set up a submission portal for the public to upload any photos or videos related to the shooting.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, support and counseling services have been made available for students and staff. Meanwhile, neighboring Florida A&M University canceled all activities for the rest of Thursday out of respect and caution.
The long-term impacts of such incidents on campus security and mental health are profound, highlighting an urgent need for discussions on policy and preventive measures to protect educational institutions from similar tragedies.