Florida State University shooting suspect

Florida State University shooting suspect

A tragic mass shooting unfolded at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on Thursday, April 17, 2025, leaving two people dead and six others wounded.

The suspect, identified as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, was taken into custody after being shot by responding officers.

Authorities have confirmed that Ikner, the stepson of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, used a handgun—previously his stepmother’s service weapon and a shotgun in the attack. The incident, which occurred near the university’s

Student Union, has shaken the FSU community and reignited discussions about gun violence on college campuses.

What Happened

The shooting began around 11:50 a.m. near the Student Union, a bustling hub of student activity on FSU’s main campus.

According to Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell, Ikner opened fire, targeting individuals in the area. The two fatalities were not FSU students, though their identities have not been released.

Six others were injured, five by gunfire and one while fleeing the scene. All injured victims were reported in fair condition by Thursday evening at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, with one initially listed as critical.

Eyewitness accounts paint a chaotic scene. FSU freshman Maya Cabal, who was working at the campus gym, told NBC News she heard an active threat alert over staff walkie-talkies, prompting students and staff to shelter in locker rooms.

Sophomore Matthew Ontari, in a building across from the Student Union, described hearing gunshots and sheltering for nearly an hour before police evacuated students.

Another student, Aidan Stickney, recounted seeing Ikner exit a car with a shotgun that jammed, then switch to a handgun to continue the attack.

The university issued an emergency alert at noon, urging students and faculty to shelter in place, lock doors, and avoid windows.

Law enforcement, including FSU Police, Tallahassee Police Department, and FBI agents, responded swiftly. FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower said officers confronted Ikner, who refused to comply with commands.

Officers then shot and wounded him, taking him into custody with non-life-threatening injuries. The campus lockdown was lifted by 3 p.m., but the Student Union and surrounding areas remained an active crime scene.

Police Report and Investigation

According to the police report and statements from authorities, Ikner acted alone, and no motive has been publicly disclosed.

Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil revealed that Ikner is the stepson of a veteran deputy, Jessica Ikner, who has served for over 18 years.

The handgun used in the shooting was a former service weapon purchased by Jessica Ikner for personal use after the sheriff’s office upgraded its firearms.

A shotgun was also recovered at the scene, though Chief Revell noted it’s unclear if it was used in the attack. A third firearm was found in Ikner’s car.

Ikner, a long-standing member of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Youth Advisory Council, had participated in various training programs, which McNeil said made his access to weapons unsurprising.

Upon arrest, Ikner invoked his right to remain silent, leaving investigators to piece together his motives through evidence and witness accounts. The FBI is assisting with the investigation, urging anyone with photos, videos, or information to submit tips via their website.

Sheriff McNeil emphasized the department’s commitment to prosecuting Ikner, stating, “We will do everything we can to send a message that this will never be tolerated.” The Tallahassee Police Department confirmed the crime scene has been processed but remains under active investigation.

Community and Official Response

FSU President Richard McCullough called the shooting a “tragic and senseless act of violence” in a statement to the university community.

He visited wounded students in the hospital and praised campus police as “absolute heroes” for their rapid response, which he said prevented a larger tragedy.

Classes and events were canceled through Friday, April 18, and a vigil for the victims is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at Langford Green.

Students expressed shock and fear. Paula Maldonado, a sophomore, told ABC News she and classmates barricaded their classroom door and hid, some whispering and crying as they awaited police.

Ilana Badiner, a 21-year-old student who survived the 2018 Parkland shooting, described reliving trauma while hiding in the Student Union basement with others.

President Donald Trump, briefed on the incident, called it “a horrible thing” but reiterated his support for Second Amendment rights, stating, “The gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed solidarity, saying, “Our prayers are with our FSU family.” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi noted the Justice Department’s coordination with the FBI on the ground.

Broader Context

This is not FSU’s first encounter with gun violence. In 2014, a gunman wounded three people at Strozier Library before being killed by police.

The 2025 shooting marks Florida’s sixth mass shooting this year and the 81st nationwide, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an incident with four or more people shot, excluding the shooter.

The incident has also drawn attention from gun control advocates. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting, noted that some Parkland survivors now at FSU experienced their second school shooting.

“As a father, all I ever wanted after Parkland was to help our children be safe,” he wrote on social media.

Looking Ahead

As the FSU community mourns, the investigation continues to uncover why Ikner carried out the attack.

The university, with over 44,000 students, faces the challenge of healing while addressing safety concerns. Students like Matthew Ontari voiced frustration over easy access to guns, calling the recurring violence “unacceptable.”

For now, Tallahassee remains on edge, with law enforcement maintaining a strong presence on campus. The FSU community is rallying together, with makeshift memorials of flowers appearing near the Student Union, a somber reminder of lives lost and a campus forever changed.

Sources: ABC News, NBC News, The New York Times, AP News, CNN, Reuters, Tallahassee Democrat, USA TODAY

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