The son of a neighborhood sheriff’s deputy allegedly opened hearth close to the Scholar Union at Florida State College in Tallahassee on Thursday, killing two folks and injuring six others, authorities stated.
The suspect — 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a present FSU pupil — was shot by responders and has been hospitalized, police stated. He was taken into custody with non-life-threatening accidents, a number of legislation enforcement officers advised ABC Information.
Ikner is the son of a present Leon County sheriff’s deputy, based on Sheriff Walter McNeil. He had entry to one in every of his mom’s private weapons, which was one of many weapons discovered on the scene, the sheriff stated. It appeared Ikner had a handgun and a shotgun with him, police stated.
The suspect’s mom has been a deputy with the division for greater than 18 years and “her service to this neighborhood has been distinctive,” McNeil stated.
The suspect was additionally a “long-standing member” of the Leon County Sheriff’s Workplace’s Youth Advisory Council, McNeil stated.
He was “engaged in various coaching applications that we’ve got,” the sheriff stated, including, “Not a shock to us that he had entry to weapons.”
On this display seize from a video, first responders are likely to the injured after studies of an lively shooter close to the Scholar Union on the Florida State College campus in Tallahassee, Fla., on April 17, 2025.
WFTS
The campus has been secured, police stated.
Police haven’t recognized the 2 folks killed however stated they weren’t college students.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare stated it is acquired six sufferers, all in truthful situation.
Individuals evacuate Florida State College campus after a mass taking pictures in Tallahassee, Fla., April 17, 2025.
Alicia Devine/USA At this time Community by way of Imagn Pictures by way of Reuters
Sophomore Paula Maldonado advised ABC Information she was in school close to the Scholar Union when she heard what appeared like yelling outdoors.
“Proper after, the lively risk alarm went off,” she stated. “Everybody in my class rapidly turned off the lights, put desks to dam off the door and hid by the entrance of the classroom.”
“We have been quiet and a few have been whispering,” Maldonado stated. “Some have been additionally crying and serving to one another. Like a pupil subsequent to me advised me to place my backpack in entrance of me to guard myself.”
“A cop got here inside and I believed it was the shooter, so it was very scary. However after a few minutes one other cop got here again in and advised us to go outdoors with our fingers up, Maldonado stated.
Individuals consolation one another on Florida State College’s campus in Tallahassee, Fla., the place legislation enforcement responded to a reported lively shooter incident on April 17, 2025.
Kate Payne/AP
Scholar Daniella Streety advised ABC Information she was within the constructing throughout the road from the Scholar Union when alert sirens began blaring, and individuals who have been standing outdoors bumped into her constructing.
College students then fled from the Scholar Union as legislation enforcement flooded the scene, she stated.
Florida State College campus taking pictures
Google Maps, Florida State College
Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter, Jaime, was killed within the Parkland highschool taking pictures in South Florida in 2018, stated a few of Jaime’s classmates now attend FSU.
“Extremely, a few of them have been simply part of their 2nd faculty taking pictures and a few have been within the pupil union as we speak,” Guttenberg, who has develop into a gun reform supporter, wrote on social media. “As a father, all I ever needed after the Parkland taking pictures was to assist our kids be secure. Sadly, due to the many individuals who refuse to do the fitting issues about lowering gun violence, I’m not shocked by what occurred as we speak.”
On this display seize from a video, police are proven on the scene after studies of an lively shooter close to the Scholar Union on the campus of Florida State College, April 17, 2025.
Daniella Streety
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the taking pictures, based on White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “My coronary heart breaks for the scholars, their households, and school at Florida State College. There isn’t any place in American society for violence. Our total nation is praying for the victims and their households.”
FSU stated lessons are canceled by Friday.
On this display seize from a video, legislation enforcement officers are proven on the Florida State College campus after studies of an lively shooter, on April 17, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla.
@wormack_352/Instagram
It is a growing story. Please test again for updates.
ABC Information’ Olivia Osteen, Sony Salzman and Luke Barr contributed to this report.
