Two
people were killed and five injured in a shooting at Florida State University.
The suspect, a student and deputy’s son, is hospitalized.
.jpg "Emergency Response at Florida State University Shooting Scene")
Tallahassee,
Florida – A tragic shooting unfolded today at Florida State University (FSU),
leaving two people dead and five others injured. Authorities confirmed that the
suspected gunman, a 20-year-old student and the son of a local sheriff’s
deputy, is in custody and hospitalized.
The incident
began around 11:50 a.m. near FSU’s student union, a central hub on the bustling
campus of over 42,000 students. University police responded within minutes,
shooting and apprehending the suspect after he refused to comply with commands.
Officials
identified the suspect as Phoenix Ikner, a current FSU student and longtime
member of the sheriff’s youth advisory council. A handgun used during the
attack was previously issued to his mother, a veteran deputy with the Leon
County Sheriff’s Office. A shotgun was later found in the student union, and a
third firearm was recovered from the suspect’s vehicle.
Of the
victims, two were confirmed dead at the scene and were not affiliated with the
university. Five others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Law enforcement
clarified that six individuals in total were transported to medical facilities,
including the suspect.
The
chaotic scene triggered a lockdown across campus. Videos captured panicked
students fleeing, and others hiding in classrooms or behind bushes. Authorities
later declared the campus secure but advised students to avoid crime scene
areas. All classes and events are canceled until further notice.
Florida
A&M University, located just a mile away, also announced it would close its
campus in solidarity.
“This is
a tragic day for the entire FSU community,” said university president Richard
McCullough. “We are absolutely heartbroken by the violence.”
Law
enforcement and campus security were visibly shaken, especially following the
revelation of the suspect’s ties to the sheriff’s department. Sheriff Walter
McNeil described the emotional toll on the department, calling the situation
“gut-wrenching.”
The
suspect has invoked his right to remain silent. Authorities continue to
investigate how the weapons were accessed and whether warning signs were
overlooked.
This
incident marks Florida’s sixth mass shooting in 2025, according to the Gun
Violence Archive. As the community grapples with grief, national conversations
on gun access and mental health once again come into focus.