Person in custody in FSU shooting, at least 6 injured: Live updates
TALLAHASSEE, FL – A person is in custody and at least six people are injured after an active shooter was reported on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, officials said.
"An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union,' the university said in an alert. 'Police are on scene or on the way. Continue to seek shelter and await further instructions. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures.'
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said it was treating at least six people in connection with the shooting, one in critical condition and the rest in serious condition.
A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting, Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson Alicia Turner told the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network. She did not say whether police believe the person was the shooter.
First responders – including state troopers, fire and various police agencies – have swarmed the campus and ambulances could be seen heading to and from the university. Sirens could be heard all over downtown Tallahassee.
An employee who works in the Bellamy Building told a reporter the building was on lockdown and law enforcement was evacuating people floor by floor. That same person said she heard what sounded like gunfire inside the building.
About 20 students and 12 staff members are sheltering in the campus Health and Wellness Center behind a locked door, FSU senior Hannah Burda told USA TODAY. The psychology major from Tallahassee said she was sitting outside, in between the center and Einstein Bagel Bros shop, when she first heard about five shots.
"I actually started recording a Snapschat to say, 'Wow, there's a nail gun going off that sounds like a gun'' she said by text in lockdown. "But then about six more shots went off and I saw students running in my direction from the path in front of the student union. That's when I started running, realizing it was an actual shooter. As I passed people who were ignorant of the situation, I told them there was an active shooter. The gun fire was echoing between the Student Union, the HCB, Bellamy and the Moore auditorium area."
Burda said a police barricade is set up in front of the health center, where the nurses have passed out Powerades and snacks as they wait.
– Jennifer Portman
"Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a statement on X.
Will Schatz, an FSU senior, was in Strozier Library on campus around noon with friends when he saw people running. He ran with them, exiting the back of the library.
"I could have sworn I saw a cop running after somebody and screaming something when we ran out," he told the Tallahassee Democrat. "Then, when I got out, I heard seven to eight gunshots. I'm not sure if that was the shooter shooting or if the cops shot the shooter."
He called his mother right after he got out of the library to tell her he was OK and what had happened. Since then, he said he saw four students loaded into ambulances and taken away.
The university said in a statement that all classes and events scheduled for April 17 have been canceled.
"Individuals not already on the main campus at this time should avoid coming to the Tallahassee main campus," said the statement posted to the university website.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is "actively receiving and caring for patients related to an incident that has occurred at Florida State University," said a statement from hospital spokesperson Stephanie Derzypolski.
"At this time details are still unfolding, and we do not have specific information to share. However, we want to assure the community that our teams are fully mobilized and prepared to provide the highest level of care and support to all those affected," the statement said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FSU shooting updates: Person in custody, at least 6 injured
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