Two people were killed, and six others were injured in a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday, authorities said.
The suspected shooter in the recent incident has been identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student at the school. It was revealed that Ikner used his mother’s weapon in the tragic event, and his mother, who is a Sheriff’s Deputy with more than 18 years of service, has been acknowledged for her commendable work by authorities.
Authorities have said that the two who were killed were not FSU students.
The university and law enforcement are urging students, staff, and faculty to get in touch with their families if they haven’t done so already, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the situation being treated as an active crime scene.
The swift response to the crisis saw the FBI swiftly deploying agents from its Tallahassee field office to the location, which is in close proximity to the FSU campus. Additionally, the ATF’s Tampa office has also confirmed their presence at the scene, providing assistance to the local law enforcement agencies.
FSU has canceled all classes through Friday and said athletic events in Tallahassee were canceled through the weekend.
Ben Veytsman, a sophomore studying management information systems at FSU, had just finished a therapy appointment on campus when he heard shots and was rushed away.
Veytsman told Fox News Digital that the therapy appointment was held at the campus’s Thagard Building, near the student union. After leaving, he heard a popping noise while walking on campus.
“I was walking home and then this one guy was like chasing another guy,” the college student recalled. “It looked like but they’re both just like running…and I thought they had an altercation between themselves.
“And then the guy in front was like, ‘Yo, there’s some school shooting. Everyone get inside,’ because we were right near the library. And then I could tell he wasn’t joking. And then that’s when me and a bunch of neighboring students just like start running in.”
The sophomore said he took shelter in the staff lounge before being escorted to another place and, finally, allowed to walk home.
“It didn’t feel real to me. It felt like I was like enacting a school shooter drill.”
Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., said that her office was in touch with FSU leadership about the situation.
“I am praying for the safety of the students, faculty and all first responders involved,” Moody wrote.
Additionally, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said he was praying for the safety of all those at FSU and instructed students to follow school officials’ directions.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation and made a brief comment in the Oval Office. He said it was “horrible that things like this take place.”
“The [FBI] is on the scene at Florida State and we are in communication with agents on the ground. Our priority is the safety of everyone involved. We will keep updating as we learn more. Praying for all,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote.
FBI Director Kash Patel said he was briefed on the situation, and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that the bureau was on the scene at FSU.
“The FBI is on the scene at FSU. I am en route back to DC from our LA office but we are getting updates on the situation on the plane. We will update you as we learn more,” Bongino wrote in a post on X.
A map of Florida State University showing the student union building
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) sent Fox News a statement on the situation, saying that they have received patients “related to an incident” at FSU. However, TMH did not give any information on how many patients or what treatments were administered, citing patient privacy concerns.
“At this time, details are still unfolding, and we do not yet have specific information to share. However, we want to assure the community that our teams are fully mobilized and prepared to provide the highest level of care and support to all those affected. We remain in close coordination with emergency responders and public safety officials,” TMH wrote.
First responders at FSU during a possible active shooter situation. <!–>
Tallahassee police and firefighters have been dispatched to the scene.
“I was getting food at the Panera and heard a group of girls saying something about a gun, right after I heard the shots and immediately started running. I ran out the back of the union and as I was running I heard more shots coming from the entrance of the union,” FSU student Cole Summers, who was in the student union, told Fox News Digital.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., wrote on the social media platform X that, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”
Emergency vehicles near Florida State University amid reports of a possible active shooter situation. –>
FSU’s Tallahassee campus sits on 485.7 acres and the university has 403 buildings in total. The student body is more than 44,300 strong and the university has more than 16,000 employees, according to the school’s website.
