On April 17, 2025, Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee was the scene of a tragic shooting that left two people dead and six others injured. The incident occurred near the Student Union Building around 11:50 a.m., prompting immediate lockdowns and emergency responses across the campus.
The Incident
According to authorities, the suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a political science student at FSU and the son of a Leon County Sheriff's deputy, arrived on campus in an orange Hummer. Eyewitnesses reported that Ikner exited the vehicle, armed with a rifle, and began firing indiscriminately. He then retrieved a pistol and shot a woman in front of him. The chaos led students to flee or barricade themselves in nearby buildings.
FSU junior McKenzie Heeter recounted the harrowing experience: "We all got kind of really alarmed, like, what the heck? And then he turns back into his car and gets the pistol. And that’s when he turns forward and shoots the lady in front of him in the back while she was walking."
Casualties and Injuries
The two individuals who lost their lives were not FSU students. Among the six injured, one was in critical condition, while five others sustained serious injuries. One of the injured individuals was hurt while fleeing the scene.
Law Enforcement Response
Police responded within minutes of the first reports. Ikner was shot and wounded by officers after refusing to surrender and remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities recovered three firearms: one on Ikner, one in a nearby car, and a shotgun inside the building. One of the weapons was his mother's former service handgun, which she had retained after her service.
Campus and Community Impact
The university promptly canceled all classes and home athletic events through the weekend. A shelter-in-place order was issued, and students were advised to remain indoors. The incident has left the FSU community in shock, with many students expressing fear and disbelief over the events.
Official Reactions
President Donald Trump expressed condolences but indicated no plans to pursue changes in gun legislation, stating, "The gun doesn't do the shooting, the people do." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other officials also offered their support and prayers for the victims and the FSU community.
Ongoing Investigation
The motive behind the attack remains under investigation. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are working collaboratively to uncover more details about Ikner's actions and background.
This incident marks the second shooting on FSU's campus in 11 years, reigniting discussions about campus safety and gun control measures in educational institutions across the United States.
