Two individuals have unfortunately lost their lives, and five others are currently being treated in the hospital following a tragic incident at Florida State University. A student from the university began shooting at a group of people gathered in the bustling student center, as reported by the authorities.
Police descended on the chaotic scene and arrested Phoenix Ikner, 20, after he allegedly swiped one of his cop mom’s weapons and attacked his peers.
Sheriff Walter McNeil of Leon County expressed deep sorrow upon discovering that the alleged shooter was someone who had close ties to their law enforcement office and had participated in their youth program in the past.
“He has been steeped in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office family,” McNeil said.
Because Ikner is the son of a deputy, McNeil said he was “not surprised” that the student had access to weapons.
Law enforcement officials have revealed that the firearm used in the incident was actually the personal gun of the shooter’s mother. It was a weapon she had previously carried while on duty but had purchased a new one, leaving the old gun accessible to her son.
“This event is tragic in more ways than you people in the audience could ever fathom from a law enforcement perspective,” McNeil said.
“But I will tell you this, we will make sure that we do everything we can to prosecute and make sure that we send a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County, and I dare say, across this state and across this nation.”
Ikner is in custody and is at the hospital getting treatment. He was shot by officers after he “did not comply with commands” from law enforcement, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said.
He’s refusing to speak to law enforcement, cops said.
The two victims haven’t been named, but officials said they were not students at the school.
Florida State University’s President Richard McCullough said it was a “tragic day” on his campus.
“We’re absolutely heartbroken by the violence that occurred on our campus earlier today,” he said at the news conference.
“Our hearts go out to our students and the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
The university is providing counseling resources for students and urges people to stay away from the student union as they investigate.
Classes have been cancelled through Friday, and sporting events were cancelled through Sunday.
HORRIFIC TRAGEDY
The shooter opened fire on a crowd of people at 11:50 am, and FSU warned students that there was an emergency just ten minutes later.
Students were urged to take shelter, lock all the doors, and stay away from the windows as the cops quickly cleared all the classrooms.
The campus initially told students to stay indoors until police approached them with a safe word, which they posted on their website and later deleted.
After 3 pm, officials told students that it was safe to come out of hiding.
Sam Swartz, who is a student at FSU said he didn’t think twice about screaming coming from the campus, until he heard gunshots.
“Everyone was like, ‘this is something serious,'” he told NBC News.
Another student who was inside the student union described instantly sprinting for his life after hearing the gunfire ring out.
“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,” Cole Summers told Fox News.
“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 shooting timeline
- 12:01 pm: An active shooter was first reported by the FSU student union, police are on their way
- 12:19 pm: FSU confirmed police were on the scene and instructed students to shelter in place
- 12:45 pm: A video is shared of students and faculty walking through campus with their hands up
- 12:58 pm: Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare confirmed they are treating those injured in the shooting
- 1:01 pm: FBI confirmed agents are on campus investigating the shooting
- 1:04 pm: FSU notified students that law enforcement is clearing rooms on the main campus
- 1:45 pm: Leon County school district instructs high schoolers to stay away from FSU’s campus
- 1:48 pm: Donald Trump says he has been ‘fully briefed’ on the situation
- 1:50 pm: The Associated Press initially reports that six victims are in the hospital and a suspect has been apprehended
- 2:44 pm: FSU classes and campus activities are canceled through April 18. Students are allowed to return to residence halls, but are otherwise told to stay in place
- 3:20 pm: FSU confirms that law enforcement has neutralized the threat and lifts stay-in-place order
- 3:51 pm: Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House and Carraway buildings are closed
MASSIVE POLICE PRESENCE
Sirens could be heard all around Tallahassee after the gunman stormed campus and nearby Leon County schools were placed on lockdown.
Terrifying videos on social media showed police with long guns searching school grounds.
Another video showed students being escorted away from buildings with their hands in the air.
State, local, and federal police descended on campus.
President Donald Trump was briefed about the tragedy, and he described it as a “horrible thing.”
“It’s horrible that things like this take place,” Trump said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis posted on X, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Hospital confirmed that they are taking care of the shooting victims.
“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,” a spokesperson wrote.
The FBI also sent agents to investigate the mass shooting.
And the local school district wrote, “Our high schools will still dismiss at 1:50. Bus drivers have been instructed to reroute away from Tennessee Street.
“We have made announcements on the high school campuses to stay away from the FSU campus as well.”
TERRIFYING SITUATION
FSU junior Angel Dejesus told the Tallahassee Democrat that his class in the College of Business building hid in a smaller room inside the classroom.
Dejesus said everything got “much more serious” when a peer of his who lived through the Parkland shooting entered the building.
“He was like, ‘Man, I never thought this would happen again,’” Dejesus said.
FSU student Emily Palmer, 21, was by the Student Union when the shooting happened, and she told CNN she was terrified for her friends.
“I’m shaking … It’s just a lot going on,” she told the outlet from her student housing.
“I’m concerned about my friends. I have friends in class right who are getting evacuated by police with their hands up.”
Another student wrote on X, “We were tabling with our @TPUSA chapter on Landis Green when we heard shots near the Student Union.
“We’re safe and off campus. The shooter has supposedly been apprehended. Please pray for all of Tallahassee right now.”
FSU is one of 12 public universities in Florida with an enrollment of 44,300 students.
Its main campus is minutes from the capital building in Tallahassee.
The shooting at FSU is the 80th mass shooting in the US this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
POLICE TRAINING
On Thursday morning, police had warned residents that the Tactical Apprehension and Control Team would be conducting a training exercise about three miles from the FSU campus.
The City of Tallahassee Police Department posted on Facebook letting residents know they may hear “loud bangs, crashes, sirens, and see officers with firearms displayed” during the training.
The training was planned to take place between 12 and 8 pm.
“At the Tallahassee Police Department, training is a top priority. It helps us ensure the safety of our community and enables us to apprehend violent offenders or those who seek to cause harm to others,” they wrote in the post.
“Your understanding and cooperation are important to us as we work to enhance our readiness to serve and protect. We appreciate your continued support.”
TRAGIC PAST
This isn’t the first shooting at FSU’s campus.
In 2014, three people were shot just outside and inside the entrance of Strozier Library, the Associated Press reported.
Officers arrived moments after the initial call and killed the 31-year-old gunman Myron May.
The shooting left 21-year-old Farhan “Ronny” Ahmed paralyzed from the waist down.
Library employee Nathan Scott was shot in the leg but didn’t suffer any long term damage while another student was grazed by a bullet.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s statement
TMH is actively receiving and caring for patients related to an incident that has occurred at Florida State University. 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. Out of respect for patient privacy and to ensure accurate information, we will provide updates as soon as they are available.
We ask for your patience and compassion during this difficult time.
