FSU shooting: Two dead; six injured after police say deputy's son opened fire on campus

Yahoo

18-04-2025

FRIDAY UPDATES: Developments around the Florida State University shooting, victims, the suspect and how to find help are being updated here.
The 20-year-old son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy used his mother's gun to go on a shooting rampage on Florida State University's Tallahassee campus Thursday, killing two people and wounding six others, law enforcement officials said. The alleged shooter was himself shot and taken to a local hospital. The surviving student victims were listed in fair condition.
The first reports of a shooting came in around noon, sirens wailed for about an hour afterward. At around 3:30 p.m., the university was telling the campus community "law enforcement has neutralized the threat" but warned that multiple buildings were still "active crime scenes."
Shortly afterward, authorities said they had "secured" the campus.
The shock and sadness was palpable as students began to gather near Florida State University's student union building as the sun set Thursday evening.
Birds chirped softly as dozens of students and young adults quietly clung to each other around a makeshift memorial that grew on the sidewalk leading to what was a gruesome and tragic scene just a few hours earlier.
Some came alone. Others wandered over in pairs or with groups of friends. Many brought flowers, balloons and teddy bears. Others left letters and lit candles to honor the victims and comfort the survivors.
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When panicked students fled for safety they left backpacks, ipads and even sandals behind. Students will be able to recover their belongings Friday.
The campus community will be able to retrieve personal belongings from select campus buildings between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friday, April 18.
"Be prepared to produce a photo ID to claim your belongings," the university wrote on FSU Alert.
All campus buildings will be locked but university faculty, staff, and volunteers will be on site at each of the following locations to assist individuals with claiming their belongings: Bellamy Building EAOS Building Carothers Building Dirac Science Library FSU Student Union Strozier Library HCB Classroom Building Leach Center Longmire Building Love Building Montgomery Hall Moore Auditorium Rovetta Business A&B Thagard Building.
If your belongings were left in another campus building not on this list, or if you are unable to retrieve your belongings on Friday, please call 850-644-4444 between to 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. to schedule assistance.
The university will open a Support Center at the Askew Student Life Center from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 18. Counseling and Victim's Advocate services will be available, and staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
The university will also hold a vigil for victims at 5 p.m. April 18 at Langford Green in front of the unconquered statue. A similar vigil was held on campus after the Strozier Library almost 11 years ago. And then again after the 2018 Hot Yoga Studio shooting that left an FSU student and former College of Medicine professor dead.
The university will hold a vigil for the victims at 5 p.m. Friday, April 18, at Langford Green in front of the Unconquered Statue.
After visiting injured FSU students at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said the students were very grateful to the campus community, law enforcement and hospital officials.
"They love FSU and are very comfortable FSU's gonna take care of them," he said. "They want to get back in class."
The students are all listed in fair condition
"They're very upbeat. They clearly have injuries," Scott said. "But they are confident this hospital will take care of them. This hospital has great ... Tallahassee is blessed with the system they have here."
Scott was governor during the 2014 FSU shooting at Strozier Library, the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting and the 2018 Parkland shooting. He said as a result the legislature passed historic bills that were signed into law, leading to more police on the streets, better mental health services with risk assessment tests and active shooter drills.
This year's legislature has pondered rolling back some of those laws, including a prohibition that prevents 18-year-olds from owning long guns.
"I believe in the legislation we passed. We worked hard to get that passed, but every legislature gets to decide what they want to do," he said.
When asked what his message was for FSU students, he said "I can't say I know what everyone went through, but my heart goes out because people were traumatized by this."
7:21 p.m. – The university posted late Thursday on its Alerts website: "All classes on the main Florida State University campus in Tallahassee are cancelled Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18 due to a shooting at the Student Union. Employees should check with their supervisors to determine if they are essential personnel and for further reporting instructions."
It added: "The Student Union and the surrounding area is still considered an active crime scene. The public and campus community should avoid the area. Students should not return to the Student Union to retrieve personal property at this time. Students may return to their residence halls but they should otherwise stay indoors on the main campus to allow law enforcement and university staff to do their jobs and respond to those needing assistance. Suwannee, Seminole Cafe and dining options in the Honors Building are open until 8 p.m. Thursday, April 17.
"The following buildings are currently CLOSED: Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Strozier and Dirac Libraries, Hecht House and Carraway. Individuals should not return to these buildings to retrieve personal property at this time. Individuals are free to move about other areas of campus.
"Students who need assistance should reach out to our Counseling & Psychological Services team at (850) 644-TALK (8255). Individuals who may have witnessed anything of value should call 850-891-4987. Individuals who may have photo or video evidence should report it to www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.
"All victims' families have been contacted. Many individuals have been separated from their belongings, including their personal cell phones, as a result of today's events. We continue to urge all students and staff to contact their family members as soon as possible to let them know they are safe and well. Individuals who left belongings in buildings during the incident should fill out the survey at this link fla.st/55ONDDIT. Individuals who fill out the survey will be notified of the process to collect their belongings Friday.
"All FSU athletics events in Tallahassee are canceled through Sunday."
6:19 p.m. – In an open letter to the FSU community, university President Richard McCullough shared the experience of a "tragic and senseless act of violence at the heart of our campus."
He wrote, "At lunchtime, an active shooter opened fire at the Student Union. Two were killed. Six others were injured. We are heartbroken. We are grieving with the families, friends, and loved ones of those who were lost. We are holding close those who are injured, and we are standing by everyone who is hurting.
"I've been in constant contact with our law enforcement and emergency teams since the incident began. The FSU Police Department, along with the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol, responded immediately and decisively. FSU Police contained the threat and prevented even greater tragedy. I am grateful for their courage and professionalism.
"Right now, our focus is on taking care of people. That means the victims and their families. It means students, faculty, and staff who were nearby and are now trying to make sense of what they experienced. And it means every person in our campus community who is feeling shaken or overwhelmed.
"We are working closely with our leadership, law enforcement, and mental health professionals to ensure that everyone has the support they need. If you're struggling, please reach out to our Counseling & Psychological Services team at (850) 644-TALK (8255). You are not alone.
"There will be more updates in the days ahead, and more time to reflect and heal. But now, we mourn together. We lean on one another. And we remember who we are. We are Florida State. We are family. And we stand together."
5:30 p.m. – Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a video statement on X on behalf of himself and First Lady Casey DeSantis regarding the FSU shooting. A transcript is below:
"Casey and I stand in solidarity and are praying for the entire Florida state community. We're mourning the two individuals who lost their lives in this tragic attack, and we wish well those who are currently recovering in the hospital. This killer must and will be brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law.
"I want to also thank the law enforcement personnel who were on the scene, both for the university as well as for the city of Tallahassee. They ran towards the danger. They stopped this killer from inflicting more harm, and there is no question that they saved lives.
"We are all Seminoles today. We stand by to help in any way that we can. God bless you and God bless Florida State University."
His official schedule, released Thursday evening, showed he and his wife had visited TMH at 6 p.m. He also logged phone calls earlier in the day with FSU President Richard McCullough (1:20 p.m.) and FSU Board of Trustees chair Peter Collins (1:30). Directly afterward (1:50), he had a call with FBI Director Kash Patel, presumed to be about the shooting.
4:56 p.m. – In a new public statement on the shooting, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred today at FSU. Our hearts are with the students, families, and everyone impacted by this heartbreaking situation." The hospital, which is a Level II trauma center, received Thursday's victims.
"TMH has six patients related to this incident, all of which are currently in fair condition. Our dedicated trauma teams are providing the highest level of care to all patients, and we remain fully mobilized to meet their needs. We continue to work closely with emergency responders and public safety officials. Out of respect for patient privacy and to ensure the accuracy of information, we will provide updates as appropriate.
"We ask for the community's support and compassion during this difficult time."
4:38 p.m. – Law enforcement officials now have confirmed two people dead and six injured in Thursday's shooting on the Tallahassee campus of Florida State University.
The shooter was identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student and the son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy. He used an old service weapon belonging to his mother, a school resource deputy for Raa Middle School, who was using it for personal protection. He was shot by first responders and taken to TMH.
"This is a tragic day for Florida State University," said FSU President Richard McCullough. "We're absolutely heartbroken by the violence."
Ikner was quoted in an FSView/Florida Flambeau this January reacting to a Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) march on campus. 'These people are usually pretty entertaining, usually not for good reasons,' said Ikner, a political science major. 'I think it's a little too late, (Trump is) already going to be inaugurated on Jan. 20 and there's not really much you can do unless you outright revolt, and I don't think anyone wants that.'
The FBI also has launched an online tip line: www.fbi.gov/fsushooting. "If you have any video or audio media related to the incident, please upload here," the site says.
4:12 p.m. – Students who were on campus during the active shooter situation at Florida State University on April 17 that has left six injured, describe their "terrifying" experiences. The event was still unfolding as of 3:15 p.m. Thursday with "shelter in place" alerts still remaining on campus.
These scenes have become all too familiar in Florida, where the Parkland shooting occurred just seven years ago and FSU was home to a shooting some years ago.
Read the full story here.
4:10 p.m. – An event at Florida State University designed to promote safety on campus and among FSU students was canceled − due to an active shooting at FSU on the day of.
The active shooting occurred on the day of the "United Against Hate" event that sheds a light on 21-year-old Maura Binkley, a senior at FSU who was one of two victims killed Nov. 2, 2018, in the Tallahassee hot yoga studio shooting.
Binkley and 61-year-old Dr. Nancy Van Vessem died after a gunman with a long history of abusive behavior and hatred against women opened fire in the hot yoga studio.
Read the full story here.
3:43 p.m. – The news conference on the FSU shooting, previously announced for 4 p.m. at the university's Augustus B. Turnbull Conference Center on West Pensacola Street, is now set for 4:30.
3:33 p.m. – Andrew Cheyne, a senior studying media and communications, was in the basement of the FSU Student Union during a billiards class. He said someone came running into the billiard hall from the bowling alley that's also in the basement, and that people at Proof Brewing Co., a bar in the building, had barricaded themselves in the restrooms there.
'They were concerned that something had happened,' said Cheyne. He said a teacher came into the billiard hall, then the bowling coach, who locked the doors to both rooms. 'We waited in there for about 10 or 15 minutes, maybe 30 or 40 of us holed up.'
He prayed, leaning on his Christian faith, even as he described himself as 'frightened.'
'We waited and waited, and then got a call from police saying that we'd be getting out of the building.' The group moved behind the bowling alley first, then waited a little longer before being escorted outside by police. Cheyne said he saw one man on the ground in handcuffs, another injured person, and 'paramedics, and tons and tons of police.'
Family, friends and loved ones messaged him to make sure he was OK, and the Lakeland native said he was planning to pack a bag and go home for a few days, to spend the Easter holiday with his family.
Before the shooting, he'd been working on a written reflection of his time at the school. 'It made me thankful' to attend a school he loved. 'To think someone would try to harm this beautiful community in Tallahassee makes me sad, and makes me wonder what's wrong with them.'
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY
3:23 p.m. – The latest from FSU Alerts: "Law enforcement has neutralized the threat. Please avoid the Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House and Carraway as they are still considered an active crime scene. Individuals are free to move about other areas of campus."
Those who may have "witnessed anything of value" are asked to call 850-891-4987.
3:16 p.m. – Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare issued an additional statement: "TMH has received a total of six patients related to this incident. At this time, one patient is in critical condition and five are in serious condition. Our dedicated trauma teams are providing the highest level of care to all patients, and we remain fully mobilized to meet their needs."
Also, a Tallahassee police spokesperson told the Democrat they had "one man in custody."
2:48 p.m. – A news conference on the FSU shooting has been announced for 4 p.m. at the university's Augustus B. Turnbull Conference Center on West Pensacola Street.
The university also updated its "Alerts" page: "All Florida State University classes and business operations on the main campus in Tallahassee are canceled through Friday, April 18. Essential employees should check with their supervisors for further reporting instructions. All FSU athletics events in Tallahassee are canceled through Sunday.
"Students who need assistance can go to the Donald L. Tucker Center where the university is providing counseling, health care, and other support services. Family members are also able to go to the Tucker Center for assistance. Students, faculty and staff are asked to call their loved ones as soon as possible to update them on their status. "The Student Union and the surrounding area is still considered an active crime scene. Individuals should avoid the area. Students should not return to the Student Union to retrieve personal property at this time.
"Students may return to their residence halls but they should otherwise stay indoors on the main campus to allow first responders and university staff to do their jobs and respond to those needing assistance. Students may depart campus for the weekend."
2:34 p.m. – "All LCS schools are back to normal operating procedures. Lockout has been lifted district wide," the district posted on X.
Also, a student reunification center has been established at the Tucker Civic Center, according to a social media post by TPD.
2:31 p.m. – Law enforcement is still clearing campus buildings. The university announced that "all classes and business operations are canceled through Friday, April 18."
It added: "Essential employees should check with their supervisors for further reporting instructions. Athletics events in Tallahassee are canceled throughout the weekend."
2:26 p.m. – The last time Florida State had an active shooter was in November 2014. Myron May, 31, went into the university's Strozier Library just after midnight and opened fire, injuring three before he was quickly shot and killed in a hail of bullets by Tallahassee and FSU police.
May, an FSU graduate and attorney who was mentally ill and suffered from paranoia, used a .380 semi-automatic during the on-campus shooting and shot at seven people.
The three injured in that shooting included one employee and two students, including Farhan Ronny Ahmed, a student at the time who was paralyzed from the hip down after being shot.
2:12 p.m. – Paige Miller, an FSU freshman, was in the restroom outside her classroom at the Moore building next to the Student Union when she heard four loud bangs.'I thought it was the roof collapsing honestly, and then suddenly three girls come running in and one of them was crying," she said. "One of the girls looks over at my stall and tells me to call the police because there's an active shooter.'She called 911. With no lock on the restroom door, they held it shut for 20 minutes until police arrived. When she came outside, she saw one person on the ground surrounded by officers.
Miller assumed he was a shooter but wasn't sure. Miller also heard police say they were looking for a shotgun. She saw what appeared to be two injured people on the ground by the Student Union.'We saw them when they were still on the grass,' she said. 'I think they moved a couple to the pavement.' She said law enforcement was swarming everywhere: 'It was terrifying.'
2:10 p.m. – Various social media posts and news reports have differing numbers of injured and deaths but law enforcement as of 2 p.m. had not confirmed any deaths from Thursday's shooting.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare spokesperson Stephanie Derzypolski earlier told the Democrat TMH ER staff was treating received six patients, one in critical condition and the others in serious condition.
2:04 p.m. – "All Florida State athletics home events through Sunday, April 20, have been canceled," the university posted on X. "Further updates on events scheduled for next week will be communicated when available."
1:53 p.m. – Sam Swartz and Sean Gulledg said they were in the basement of the FSU student union when the shooting started. 'Everyone started freaking out,' Swartz said. He said they heard maybe 10 gunshots while they were working on a group project.
The group of eight cornered themselves in a hallway and started to barricade the opening with trash cans and plywood. 'I remember learning to do the best you can to make them take time because they don't want to do anything that takes time, they're just trying to get as many people,' Swartz said.
The whole event took maybe 10 minutes, Gulledg added, 'but it felt a lot longer.'
Students heard law enforcement officers going up and down hallways telling everyone to come out with their hands up. Everyone was patted down and checked before evacuating.
Gulledg, a resident assistant, said they train for these types of situations, but never thought they'd ever have to use them. 'I trusted the training,' he said.
1:48 p.m. – USA TODAY reports that President Donald Trump says he has been "fully briefed" on the active shooter at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
"It's a shame. It's a horrible thing, horrible that things like this take place," Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office.
1:43 p.m. – The governor wrote on X, "Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding."
1:34 p.m. – Rafael Fernandez, a sophomore at FSU, was in class in the Rovetta Building when an alarm came over the PA system and an alert flashed on the screen in the lecture hall. His professor locked the doors and students stood in an area of the room without windows.
Eventually TPD officers arrived, and they opened the doors. "We walked out with our hands up, and we were escorted out of the building into a clear area, a safe zone," Fernandez said.
1:30 p.m. – Students in the College of Business building adjacent to the student union said they heard a teacher run down the hallway alerting them of the shooter in the union.FSU junior Angel Dejesus said his class all hid in a smaller room within the classroom he was in with the doors locked.Dejesus said he was studying for a final exam that he had in an hour trying to drown out the chaos, but it got 'much more serious' when a student who lived through the Parkland shooting entered the room.'He was like, 'Man, I never thought this would happen again,' ' Dejesus said.
1:25 p.m. – Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare spokesperson Stephanie Derzypolski confirmed to the Tallahassee Democrat that they now have received six patients, one in critical condition and the rest in serious condition.
The hospital has "the only Level II trauma center in the Big Bend region," its website says. A Level II trauma center is "required to have trauma surgeons on-call 24/7."
1:22 p.m. – Tallahassee police spokesperson Alicia Turner advised the campus community to continue following the orders of FSU officials, who told students at 12:45 p.m. to continue to shelter in place.
Media are staging at the Turnbull Center on Pensacola Street. A media briefing is scheduled for mid-afternoon.
1:12 p.m. – 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 at West Call and Dewey streets.
"I could have sworn I saw a cop running after somebody and screaming something when we ran out," he said. "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 happened. Since then, he said he saw four students loaded into ambulances and taken away.
1:05 p.m. – A Tallahassee police spokesperson confirmed that one person is in custody but could not confirm any deaths. There were, however, "multiple injuries."
12:58 p.m. – U.S. Marshals with what appeared to be automatic weapons asked students gathered near West Call and Dewey streets to disperse because other students were still being led from the campus' student union.
"So many people in that building right now, so many to get out," a marshal was overheard saying.
12:51 p.m. – The Democrat's Alicia Devine is on the FSU campus.
Other journalists on scene posted video of students being led off campus with hands raised.
12:48 p.m. – The alerts.fsu.edu website posted this message: "Continue to shelter in place. Police have responded to an active shooter call at the Student Union. Stay alert for more information. Persons in need of immediate emergency assistance should call 911 or FSUPD at 850-644-1234."
12:44 p.m. – "TMH is actively receiving and caring for patients related to an incident that has occurred at Florida State University. 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.
"We remain in close coordination with emergency responders and public safety officials. Out of respect for patient privacy and to ensure accurate information, we will provide updates as soon as they are available. We ask for your patience and compassion during this difficult time."
12:42 p.m. – WCTV says four people have been taken to Tallahassee Memorial with injuries. "I have not been able to confirm that number just yet," a hospital spokesperson said.
12:37 p.m. – According to Leon County Schools spokesperson Chris Petley, all Leon County schools are on lockdown as of 12:15 p.m.
12:28 p.m. – The Leon County Sheriff's Office has sent its helicopter to go over the campus, according to LCSO spokesperson Javonni Hampton. First responders – including state troopers, fire, and various police agencies – were swarming the campus.
A reporter said ambulances were seen heading to FSU and away, in the direction of Tallahassee Memorial, which has a trauma center.
"An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union. Police are on the 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," the text message alert reads.
The Tallahassee Democrat attempted to reach FSUPD but were told all lines were being used. A call was also made to the Tallahassee Police Department and spokesperson Lt. Damon Miller said to "call FSUPD."
Sirens could be heard all over downtown Tallahassee Thursday morning.
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. Still another person in the same building reported what sounded like semi-automatic gunfire.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida State shooting: Two dead; six injured; shooter identified