Tragedy at Florida State University: Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Six Injured

By Dara Jerde

A devastating mass shooting rocked Florida State University (FSU) today, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring six others. The incident, which unfolded near the Student Union on the university’s main campus in Tallahassee, has left the FSU community and the nation grappling with shock and grief. Authorities have identified the suspect as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old FSU student and the son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy. The suspect is in custody and receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Incident

At approximately 11:50 a.m. EDT, gunfire erupted at FSU’s Student Union, a bustling hub of student activity. The university issued an active shooter alert at 12:01 p.m., urging students and staff to shelter in place and avoid the area. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos as students fled the scene, barricaded themselves in classrooms, or hid in nearby buildings. McKenzie Heeter, a junior at FSU, recounted to NBC News seeing the gunman, dressed in an orange T-shirt and khaki shorts, fire a rifle in her direction before switching to a pistol and shooting another individual. “I ran back to my apartment as fast as I could,” she said, describing the suspect as a “normal college dude.”

Law enforcement responded swiftly, with Tallahassee Police Department (TPD), FSU Police, and the FBI converging on the scene. By 3:20 p.m., the university announced that the threat had been “neutralized,” and the campus was secured, though nine buildings, including the Student Union, remained active crime scenes. Three firearms were recovered: a handgun found on the suspect, a shotgun inside the Student Union, and another gun in a nearby parked car.

Victims and Response

The two individuals killed in the shooting were not FSU students, according to FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower. Six others were hospitalized, with one in critical condition and five in serious condition, as reported by Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, was also among the injured. Authorities revealed that Ikner had access to one of his father’s personal handguns, which was found at the scene. Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil noted that Ikner was well-known to the sheriff’s department, having participated in its youth advisory council and various training programs.

Students and faculty took immediate action to protect themselves. In an environmental science class near the Student Union, students barricaded doors with tables and tied door handles with sweatshirts, according to student Will Rhoades. Sophomore Paula Maldonado described her class turning off lights, blocking doors with desks, and hiding quietly, with some students whispering or crying as they comforted one another.

Community and Official Reactions

The FSU community is reeling from the tragedy, which marks the second shooting on campus in just over a decade. In 2014, a gunman opened fire at FSU’s Strozier Library, injuring three before being killed by police. The recurrence of such violence has amplified calls for action. The FSU College Democrats issued a statement condemning the shooting as a “completely preventable act of senseless violence,” declaring, “This is not normal; this is not acceptable.”

Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting, expressed profound grief, noting that some of Jaime’s classmates, now FSU students, were caught in their second school shooting. “America is broken,” Guttenberg wrote on social media, lamenting the failure to address gun violence.

Governor Ron DeSantis, President Donald Trump, and other officials offered condolences and prayers. DeSantis wrote on X, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.” Trump, briefed on the situation, called it a “horrible thing” from the White House. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the FBI’s involvement, emphasizing the priority of ensuring safety.

Aftermath and Investigation

FSU has canceled all classes and business operations through Friday, April 18, and athletic events through Sunday. The Donald L. Tucker Civic Center is serving as a reunification point, offering counseling, healthcare, and support services for students and families. Nearby Florida A&M University also canceled classes and activities for the day out of precaution.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the motive and circumstances of the shooting. Ikner has invoked his right not to speak to police, and no additional suspects have been confirmed, despite early unverified reports of multiple shooters.

A Community in Mourning

As FSU mourns, stories of resilience and solidarity are emerging. Students like Andrew Cheyne, who hid in the Student Union’s basement billiard hall, and Rafael Fernandez, escorted to safety by police, reflect the courage and quick thinking that saved lives. Yet, the scars of this tragedy will linger, as the FSU community confronts the reality of gun violence on their campus once again.

The shooting has reignited national conversations about gun reform, campus safety, and mental health resources. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims, their families, and a grieving university community. FSU has urged anyone with information to contact authorities at 850-891-4987 and is providing updates through its official alerts page, alerts.fsu.edu.

Dara Jerde is a a freelance writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach her at dara.jerde@veritasexpositae.com