Tallahassee, FL – A horrific scene unfolded on the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee on Thursday, April 18, 2025, when an active shooter unleashed chaos, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and the injuries of six others. The campus remains on lockdown as law enforcement investigates, and the community grapples with the devastating impact of this violent event.
The Incident
Around 11:50 a.m. ET, FSU sent out an urgent alert, warning students to “seek shelter and await further instructions.” Just minutes later, at approximately 12:01 p.m. ET, police responded to an active shooter call originating from the area of the student union. Initial reports indicate the shooter opened fire, leading to a frantic evacuation and ultimately, the loss of two lives. Six other individuals sustained injuries and were transported to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Hospital. As of 4:30 p.m. ET, all patients were reported to be in fair condition.
The Suspect and Investigation
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student and the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy, was taken into custody after being shot by police. He invoked his right to remain silent and is currently being held for questioning. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the weapon used was a former service weapon belonging to the suspect’s stepmother, a longstanding member of the Sheriff’s Office. The suspect’s birth parents had been engaged in a years-long custody dispute that concluded in 2023. Sheriff Walter McNeil expressed deep sorrow, stating, “It’s a shame. It’s a horrible thing. Horrible thing. Things like this take place. And we’ll have more to say about it later.” The suspect had been involved in various training programs with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office citizen advisory or youth advisory council.
A Chaotic Scene
The scene was described as terrifying by students. Ava Arenado, an FSU student, recounted, “One of my classmates got an alert on her phone and announced it to the rest of the class. My teacher immediately started barricading the door… and then another student said she’d rather go home, so we all just kind of ran to our cars.” Blake Leonard, another student, reported hearing approximately 30 shots fired and described running from the student union as he witnessed people fleeing.
Ongoing Response & Context
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are assisting local authorities. The university has canceled classes and all events through Friday, with sports events canceled through Sunday. This incident is not isolated; in 2014, three people were shot in the university’s library by a former student. Furthermore, 2025 has already seen a concerning surge in mass shootings across the United States, with 80 incidents reported so far, including this one at FSU. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been approximately five mass shootings per week in the U.S. in 2025, and 502 incidents in 2024.
Presidential Remarks
President Trump issued brief remarks, stating, “It’s a shame. It’s a horrible thing. Horrible thing. Things like this take place. And we’ll have more to say about it later.”
Sourced from https://www.cbsnews.com
