Two people were killed and six others injured when gunfire erupted at Florida State University on Thursday morning.
The shooting took place near the campus student union around 11:50 a.m., sparking chaos and a swift lockdown. Law enforcement responded within minutes and shot the alleged gunman after he ignored commands.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, is a student at FSU and the son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy. He was hospitalized and has refused to speak with investigators.
Authorities said the weapon used in the attack was a former service firearm belonging to Ikner’s mother, who has served over 18 years in the sheriff’s office. Ikner, previously involved with the department’s youth advisory council, had participated in its training programs. His motive remains under investigation.
Students and faculty scrambled for safety, some hiding in a nearby bowling alley or freight elevator. Hundreds fled the area as emergency vehicles flooded the campus. The university instructed students to shelter in place until the threat was neutralized by midafternoon.
Police said there’s no indication Ikner fired at officers. The lockdown was lifted just after 3 p.m., though several campus buildings remained closed as crime scenes.
Florida State University canceled all classes and university events through Friday. Athletic competitions were suspended through the weekend.
Police confirmed that the two victims who died were not students. Six others were transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital; one was listed in critical condition, while the rest remained in serious condition.
President Richard McCullough called campus police “heroes” whose quick response prevented a larger tragedy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voiced support, writing, “We are all Seminoles today.” President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the shooting and called it a “horrible” event.
The Florida State University campus, home to over 44,000 students, lies just minutes from the Florida Capitol. The surrounding area, marked by rolling hills, also includes Florida A&M University.
The shooting has left a deep scar on Tallahassee’s academic community as authorities continue to investigate how a deputy’s son accessed a service weapon and brought tragedy to one of the state’s flagship universities.
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