Tragic Shooting at Florida State University Claims Two Lives and Leaves Several Injured

On Thursday, a tragic incident unfolded on the Florida State University (FSU) campus in Tallahassee, Florida, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to six others after an active shooter event. Authorities confirmed that the shooter, identified as Phoenix Ikner, 20, a student at FSU and son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy, was arrested following his capture by police who had to shoot him. Reportedly, he declined to speak with law enforcement upon being apprehended.

Ikner was armed with a former service weapon belonging to his mother, which was legally owned by her as a personal handgun, in addition to a shotgun. The ongoing custody dispute between his biological parents, which persisted for nearly 16 years, sheds light on his familial background. In a statement, Sheriff Walter McNeil praised Ikner's stepmother for her 18 years of dedicated service in the sheriff’s office, expressing regret over the situation that allowed her son access to her firearm. Notably, Ikner was involved in various programs linked to the Leon County Sheriff Office and was part of their youth and citizen advisory councils.

The victims of the shooting were revealed to be non-students, and their identities remain undisclosed. In response to the shooting, police secured the campus area, while multiple law enforcement agencies remained present to investigate. The time of the initial reports indicated that by approximately 3:15 p.m. ET, the threat had been neutralized, and the school urged students to avoid certain buildings still under investigation.

Emergency responses began shortly after police received the call about an active shooter, with the shooter reportedly opening fire around 11:50 a.m. The university promptly alerted students to seek shelter. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as students rushed to safety; one student recounted hearing around 30 shots fired, initially mistaking the sounds for construction work before realizing the severity of the situation.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed condolences via social media, while the FBI and ATF dispatched agents to assist local authorities. Comments from President Trump reflected on the horrendous nature of such events, without a clear endorsement of changes to existing gun laws, emphasizing the importance of the Second Amendment.

In light of the violent event, FSU has canceled classes and events through Friday and postponed sports competitions through the weekend. The tragedy at FSU marks yet another chapter in a troubling increase of mass shootings across the U.S., as statistics show 80 mass shooting incidents occurring so far in 2025, highlighting the ongoing challenges of addressing gun violence in the nation.