Florida State University shooting latest: 2 dead, 6 injured after suspect Phoenix Ikner, son of local cop, opens fire on campus

People seen fleeing across road after shooting at Florida State University

Two people were killed and five other victims have been rushed to the hospital a shooter opened fire at Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus in what police are calling a “heinous crime.”

The victims’ identities have not yet been released but police clarified the two who were killed were not FSU students.

Authorities identified Phoenix Ikner, the 20-year-old son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy, as the suspected shooter. He is now in custody and being treated at the hospital.

He used his mother’s weapons in the attack, police said. The deputy purchased the handgun she previously used on the job; it was her personal weapon at the time of the incident.

The suspect also possessed a shotgun, but it’s not immediately clear if that was fired. He has invoked his right to not speak to authorities.

The patients are being treated at Florida’s Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare.

At the press conference late Thursday afternoon, authorities stressed they believe he worked alone and that there is no further threat to the public.

The active shooter was reported in the Student Union area of the campus around 11 a.m. Thursday. Police secured the campus at 3.15 p.m.

Classes have been canceled at the university for the rest of the day and on Friday.

‘This event is tragic in more ways than you could ever fathom’: Police officer discusses suspect’s links to law enforcement

Speaking at the press conference, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said that Phoenix Ikner, the 20-year-old suspected shooter, was involved in the law enforcement community. He was involved in the sheriff’s office’s Youth Advisory Council.

“This event is tragic in more ways than you people in the audience could ever fathom from a law enforcement perspective,” McNeil said. “But I will tell you this, we will make sure that we do everything we can to prosecute and make sure that we send a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County, and I dare say, across this state and across this nation.”

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 22:45

Student shooter in custody after killing two and wounding five at FSU

Two people are dead and six others were taken to hospital in serious condition following after a 20-year-old student and son of a cop opened fire at Florida State University’s campus.

Phoenix Ikner was taken into custody following the brutal attack, which caused the campus in Tallahassee to be locked down on Thursday. FSU officials alerted students to reports of an active shooter and students were warned to shelter in place.

At a press conference Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil revealed that Ikner was the son of Leon County deputy Jessica Ikner, and had used a weapon owned by his mother to carry out the shooting.

Mike Bedigan has the latest.

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 22:30

Trump vows to protect the Second Amendment after school shooting

A reporter asked President Donald Trump about whether he hopes to see change with gun legislation.

“I’m a big advocate of the Second Amendment. I have been from the beginning. I protected it, and these things are terrible, but the gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do,” the president said.

“I will tell you that it’s a shame. I’m just hearing about it now,” he added, noting he’ll say more later when he knows more information.

“As far as legislation is concerned, this has been going on for a long time. I have an obligation to protect the Second Amendment. I ran on the Second Amendment, among many other things, and I will always protect the Second Amendment,” Trump continued.

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 22:09

WATCH: Florida State University shooter named as son of Sheriff’s deputy

Florida State University shooter named as son of Sheriff’s deputy

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 22:00

Victims’ identities have not yet been released

Two people were killed and five victims and the suspected shooter were taken to the hospital, police said.

Police are not releasing information about the victims at this point.

The suspect invoked his rights not to speak to police, authorities said. The suspect had a shotgun in his possession, but it’s not clear if it was used.

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 21:50

Shooter identified as son of sheriff’s deputy

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil called the incident a “heinous crime.”

He identified the suspected shooter as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, who is the son of a Leon County sheriff’s office deputy.

“Unfortunately her son had access to one of her weapons,” which was found at the scene, he said.

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 21:47

Two people were killed and five others injured

At around 11.50 a.m., a gunman opened fire at FSU’s main campus near the student union building, university police said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Two have been pronounced dead and five others were rushed to local hospitals after a shooter opened fire. The shooter was also taken to the hospital, authorities said. The gunman is believed to be a student

All classes are cancelled through Friday and athletic events are cancelled through Sunday.

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 21:35

Witnesses speak out about the ‘surreal’ campus shooting

“It was just chaos,” one student told CBS Miami, noting how students began piling tables up and blocking the elevator to secure themselves in a classroom.

She said she saw a man being hauled away on a gurney who was bleeding: “It was hard to watch.”

Another witness said he heard eight to 10 gunshots. “It was surreal,” he told the outlet.

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 21:27

WATCH: ‘That could have been me’: FSU student speaks out after campus shooting

‘That could have been me’ FSU student speaks out after campus shooting

Kelly Rissman17 April 2025 21:18

Suspect is among the hospitalized – report

The suspect is among the patients taken to hospital, according to a report.

Law enforcement sources told CNN the suspect was shot in the incident and is being treated at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Rhian Lubin17 April 2025 21:01

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