TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A tragic shooting unfolded at Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday, April 17, 2025, resulting in two fatalities and six injuries. The incident occurred near the university’s Student Union building around midday, causing panic among students and staff.
The Incident
According to university alerts, gunfire erupted shortly after 12:00 p.m. EDT near the Student Union. Students and faculty were advised to “lock and stay away from all doors and windows” as law enforcement responded to the active shooter situation. The campus was placed on lockdown, and a reunification point was established at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center for students and their families .
The Suspect
Authorities identified the shooter as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student and the son of a long-serving Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy. Ikner was involved in the sheriff’s youth advisory council and training programs, granting him access to firearms. He used his mother’s former service weapon during the attack . Law enforcement officers shot and wounded Ikner after he refused to comply with commands; he is currently hospitalized and in custody
Victims
The two individuals killed were adults not affiliated with FSU. Six others sustained injuries, with at least one in critical condition. The injured were transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for treatment .
Campus Response
FSU canceled all classes and business operations through Friday, April 18, and suspended all home athletic events through the weekend. Nearby Florida A&M University also canceled classes for the day . The university community, comprising over 44,000 students, is grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Official Reactions
President Donald Trump addressed the nation, calling the event “a horrible thing.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed their condolences and support for the FSU community. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the bureau is providing full support to local law enforcement .
Gun reform advocate Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was killed in the 2018 Parkland shooting, highlighted systemic failures in preventing such tragedies. He noted that some of his daughter’s friends, now FSU students, survived this second school shooting .
Investigation
The Tallahassee Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FBI. Authorities recovered three firearms: a handgun on Ikner, a shotgun inside the Student Union, and another firearm in his vehicle . The motive behind the shooting remains unknown.
This incident marks the second shooting at FSU in recent history, following a 2014 event where a gunman injured three people at the university’s library before being killed by police
As the FSU community mourns, support services are being offered to students and staff affected by the tragedy. University officials are urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact local law enforcement.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell says officers shot and wounded the shooter after he refused to comply with commands.
Officials say the shooter, identified by police as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, is believed to be a Florida State student.
Authorities have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting, which began around lunchtime just outside the student union, sending students to hide for cover in a bowling alley and a freight elevator inside the building.
