A deputy sheriff’s son killed two people and wounded four others at Florida State University on Thursday before he was shot by officers and hospitalized, authorities said.
Police believe the gunman – the son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy – acted alone and a motive was not known. The suspect had access to his mother’s handgun, which was once her service weapon.
On April 17, 2025, a tragic mass shooting occurred at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, resulting in two deaths and six injuries. The suspect, 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, is the son of a veteran Leon County Sheriff’s deputy. Authorities confirmed that Ikner used his mother’s former service handgun in the attack, which took place near the university’s student union around midday.
The victims who lost their lives were not FSU students. Among the injured, one individual remains in critical condition. Ikner, who had been involved in the sheriff’s youth advisory council and training programs, was apprehended by police and is currently hospitalized.
In response to the shooting, FSU canceled all classes and business operations through Friday, April 18, and suspended all home athletic events through the weekend. The university community, including over 42,000 students, has been deeply affected by the incident. State and national leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump, have expressed their condolences and support.
The investigation is ongoing, with involvement from the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting. This incident has reignited discussions about campus safety and firearm access, particularly concerning weapons obtained through law enforcement connections.
