A tragic shooting at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on Thursday left two people dead and five others injured, according to a report by CNN. The incident occurred near the university’s student union when a 20-year-old suspect opened fire on students.
The alleged shooter, identified as Phoenix Ikner, was shot by police after failing to comply with commands and is currently hospitalized, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell confirmed during a press conference. Revell noted that the suspect did not fire at officers during the confrontation.
Leon County Sheriff Walter A. McNeil revealed that Ikner is the son of a sheriff’s deputy and had access to his mother’s firearm. “Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons and that was one of the weapons found at the scene,” McNeil said. Authorities recovered a handgun from the suspect, while a shotgun was discovered inside the student union and another firearm in his vehicle.
FSU President Richard McCullough described the day as “tragic” and expressed deep sorrow over the violence. “We’re absolutely heartbroken by the violence that occurred on our campus earlier today,” he stated at a news briefing.
In response to the incident, FSU has cancelled all classes, events, and campus operations through Friday. Athletic events scheduled in Tallahassee over the weekend have also been called off. Essential personnel were advised to consult with their supervisors regarding work duties.
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the situation, saying he had been briefed on the “horrible” shooting. “It’s a shame. Horrible thing, horrible that things like this take place,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that the administration is “actively monitoring the situation.”
Investigations into how the suspect obtained the weapons and any additional threats or accomplices are ongoing.
