The shooter who killed two people and injured several more at FSU on Thursday has been identified as the son of a local sheriff’s deputy.
Phoenix Ikner, 20, was named on Thursday at a press conference after the horror mass shooting at Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus.
Officials revealed that the individual’s mother is Jessica Ikner, a deputy at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. She had access to one of her firearms, which was later discovered at the scene of the incident.
During a press conference, Leon County Sheriff McNeil disclosed that the perpetrator was part of the department’s youth program and participated in training initiatives. He characterized the individual as deeply connected to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police mentioned that the weapon in question had formerly been utilized by the suspect’s mother in her capacity as a law enforcement officer. However, it had transitioned into her personal firearm by the time of the shooting because deputies have the option to acquire the handguns they previously utilized.
Authorities said that a total of two people were killed and six were injured, with Ikner also shot and injured during the altercation. He is in custody in hospital.
Social media was flooded with sickening footage and images as panic set in, including one showing a victim being carried to safety on the shoulders of paramedics.
Cowering students shared videos hiding under desks, as authorities continue to urge anyone in the area to remain away from the area and stay inside.
A witness on the scene told WFTV they saw a college-aged man exit the student union with a handgun, and another witness told the Tallahassee Democrat that they’d heard what sounded like ‘automatic gunfire.’
Several witnesses shared clips of students fleeing and seeking shelter, with others showing food, picnic blankets and bags that were left on a lawn after students scrambled to safety.
One student shared chilling footage from inside a classroom where people were cowering in fear under desks.
A person could be heard bashing on the door multiple times yelling ‘open up’, but the terrified students were seen remaining silent and not moving in response.
As evacuations were carried out, images showed concerned students and faculty trying to call loved ones on campus, and Florida State University said Thursday afternoon that all classes and events were cancelled for the day.
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare said it was treating several victims and was ‘fully mobilized and prepared to provide the highest level of care and support to all those affected.’
As the campus remained under lockdown Thursday afternoon, a grey sedan was reportedly found by police with a weapon inside that authorities believe may have been linked to the shooting.
Several firearms including a shotgun and pistol have reportedly been seized by police, and the suspect was arrested with a weapon on them, police said.
FSU senior Will Schatz told the Tallahassee Democrat he was in the Strozier Library when he saw his fellow students racing from the building.
‘I could have sworn I saw a cop running after somebody and screaming something when we ran out,’ he said. ‘Then when I got out, I heard seven to eight gunshots. I’m not sure if that was the shooter shooting or if the cops shot the shooter.’
It is not the first time the FSU Tallahassee campus has been hit with a mass shooting, with an alumnus shooting an employee and two students in the Strozier Library in November 2014. The shooter was killed by officers.
Officials said on Thursday afternoon that law enforcement was ‘actively clearing rooms on the main campus’, and said the process could continue for several hours.
Shortly before holding a press conference on campus, officials said students would be allowed to return to their residence halls as police had ‘neutralized the threat.’
‘The Student Union and the surrounding area is still considered an active crime scene,’ FSU added. ‘Individuals should avoid the area. Students should not return to the Student Union to retrieve personal property at this time.’
The Tallahassee Fire Department has taken control of the campus, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office said it had deployed a helicopter to survey the area.
Leon County School District buildings, which sit close to the campus, have also been placed on lockdown.
The FBI said Thursday afternoon it was responding to the scene to aid the investigation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a statement around two hours after the shooting unfolded that his ‘prayers are with our FSU family.’
President Trump added soon after that he had been ‘fully briefed’ on the shooting.
FSU Tallahassee is a public college located in Florida’s state capital and sits on the Sunshine State’s panhandle.
It has around 45,000 students, with movie star Burt Reynolds and The Doors singer Jim Morrison among its famous alumni.
