Shooting at Florida University leaves 2 dead, 6 injured

Tragedy struck Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on Thursday after a shooting near the student union left two people dead and at least six others injured. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, was taken into custody after being shot and wounded by police. Authorities have confirmed that Ikner is the son of Leon County Sheriff’s deputy Jessica Ikner and that he used her firearm in the attack.

The incident began around 11:20 am ET, sending waves of panic across the FSU campus. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots near the student union. In the chaos that followed, students and parents fled the area—some taking shelter in a nearby bowling alley, others hiding in elevators or rushing away from the danger zone.

Emergency response was swift. Fire trucks, ambulances, and police patrol vehicles quickly arrived on the scene. Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell stated that officers confronted the suspect, who failed to comply with their commands, resulting in the police opening fire and wounding him. He was immediately taken into custody and is now undergoing treatment.

The lockdown that gripped the university lasted for nearly three hours. By 3 pm EDT, authorities lifted the restrictions, allowing students and staff to move around the campus, though access to the crime scene remained blocked. The incident has deeply shaken the university community.

Students who were near the scene expressed shock and gratitude for their safety. “I consider myself very, very lucky,” said one student, reflecting on how narrowly they escaped harm. Counselors and support services have since been deployed across campus to assist those affected by the trauma.