Deputy Sheriff’s son opens fire at Florida State University, two die, others injured
A tragic shooting occurred at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to several others.
The shooter has been identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student and the son of a local sheriff’s deputy. This incident marks a significant event in the ongoing concern regarding gun violence on college campuses.
The shooting began around 11:50 AM near the FSU Student Union, a central area bustling with students and faculty. Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes as gunfire erupted. One student reported seeing Ikner exit an orange Hummer with a rifle before firing shots indiscriminately in the direction of pedestrians, including one woman who was shot while wearing purple scrubs.
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Law enforcement responded swiftly to the scene. Officers confronted Ikner shortly after he began shooting; he reportedly did not comply with their commands and was subsequently shot by police. He sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries during this encounter and was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare for treatment.
Victims and Casualties
The two individuals killed in the shooting were confirmed to be adult men who were not affiliated with FSU as students or staff. In addition to these fatalities, five other people were injured by gunfire, with one additional person sustaining injuries while attempting to escape the scene. Initial reports indicated that one victim was in critical condition; however, later updates clarified that all six injured individuals are now in fair condition.
Phoenix Ikner had access to firearms due to his mother’s position as a deputy sheriff. Authorities revealed that one of the weapons used during the shooting was her former service weapon. Ikner had previously been involved in political discourse groups at Tallahassee State College, where he expressed far-right views that made some peers uncomfortable enough to remove him from these groups due to his rhetoric.
In response to this tragic event, FSU President Richard McCullough expressed deep sorrow for those affected and praised campus police for their rapid response, which likely prevented further casualties8. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also issued statements mourning the victims and emphasizing that justice would be pursued against Ikner.
The university has canceled all classes and events through April 18, 2025, as it begins recovery efforts for its community following this traumatic incident.
This incident is part of a troubling trend; it marks Florida’s sixth mass shooting within just four months of 2025. The broader implications regarding gun control laws and campus safety continue to be hotly debated topics following such tragedies.
