On April 17, 2025, a mass shooting occurred at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, resulting in two deaths and six injuries. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, who is the son of a local sheriff's deputy, opened fire near the student union around 11:50 AM. He had access to firearms belonging to his mother, including a handgun and possibly a shotgun, though it is unclear if the shotgun was used during the attack
. The two victims who died were not students but university employees: Robert Morales, a dining coordinator, and Tiru Chabba, a food service vendor. The six injured individuals are being treated at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, along with the suspect, who was shot by law enforcement after refusing to surrender
. The incident prompted immediate campus lockdowns and cancellations of classes and events. FSU President Richard McCullough described the shooting as a "tragic and senseless act of violence" and praised campus police for their swift response, which prevented further casualties. Mental health support and counseling services were made available to students and staff in the aftermath
. The FBI is assisting with the investigation and has requested public assistance to gather information. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, though reports indicate the suspect had expressed far-right and extremist views in a political discourse club, from which he was previously asked to leave due to his rhetoric
. This shooting marks the second such incident at FSU in 11 years and has deeply affected the university community and the broader region
