What we know about the FSU shooting suspect
2 killed, 6 injured in FSU shooting
Police said two people were killed in a shooting Thursday morning on the campus of Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, Florida. Six people have been taken to the hospital, including the alleged gunman. Police said the alleged gunman has been identified and is believed to be a current FSU student.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A shooting Thursday morning near Florida State University's campus in Tallahassee left two people dead, and six others hurt, officials said. The shooting happened shortly before noon in the area of the Student Union, forcing students to run and barricade themselves.
The alleged gunman was shot by police and taken into custody. He's been identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a student at FSU and the son of a Leon County Sheriff's Office deputy, officials said.
FSU shooting update: Full press conference
Officials hosted a press conference on Thursday afternoon to give updates following the Florida State University (FSU) shooting. Deputies said two people were killed and six others hurt and taken to the hospital during the shooting. Police said the alleged gunman has been identified and is believed to be a current FSU student, as well as the son of a local sheriff's office deputy.
Who is Phoenix Ikner?
What we know:
The suspected shooter was identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner. He was a current student at Florida State University and also the son of a Leon County Sheriff's Office School Resource Deputy. He was challenged by law enforcement and shot after he refused to list to law enforcement commands, said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence E. Revell.
The suspect was taken to the hospital for treatment, officials said, though the extent of his injury was not discussed.
Officials said Ikner was armed with a handgun and also had a shotgun with him. Though it is not clear if he shot anyone with the shotgun. A handgun was recovered at the scene of the shooting, officials said.
Ikner also declined to talk with law enforcement after he was taken into custody. He invoked his 5th Amendment right.
Officials: Handgun belonged to shooter's mom
Chief Revell said the handgun found at the shooting scene was the personal handgun of the suspect's shooter's mom. Chief Revel said the gun used to be the deputy's service weapon, but as guns are exchanged, replaced or swapped out, it is common for law enforcement to have the option to purchase their weapon.
In this case, officials said the gun was the shooter's mom's personal handgun.
Is he alive?
He is. He was shot by law enforcement and taken to the hospital, officials said. The extent of his injuries was not immediately known.
A longtime member of the Leon County Sheriff's Office
Officials said the suspect's shooter has a long history with the Leon County Sheriff's Office and was a member of their citizen or Youth Advisory Council. Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil said it was not surprising that he had access to guns or knew how to work them.
Sheriff McNeil said the suspect's mom has been with the department for 18 years. He commended her service and said an investigation would be launched, but at this point, there is no cause to warrant a suspension or placing her on leave.
Tallahassee police Chief: Shooter believed to have acted alone
Chief Revel also said that the suspect's shooter is believed to have acted alone in the FSU shooting. There were some rumors circulating about the potential of two gunmen. Officials said they have no evidence of multiple gunmen and that they believe Ikner was the sole shooter.
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The Source: Officials held a news conference on Thursday afternoon, April 17, 2025, at FSU where they provided the latest updates on the shooting, the suspect, the victims, and the investigation.