Two Dead in Mass Shooting At Florida State University

(TSN): On Thursday the campus of Florida State University once again became the site of a fatal shooting.

The tragic incident resulted in two deaths and six injuries. The victims were not student authorities said.

The shooting took place around 11:50 a.m. near the Student Union. The suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student and son of a Leon County Sheriff's deputy, was apprehended and hospitalized after being shot by police. He had used his mother's former service weapon. Authorities believe he acted alone, and the motive remains unknown.

This is not the first such incident at FSU; in 2014, a gunman opened fire at the Strozier Library, injuring three before being killed by police.

In a separate case, a 2022 shooting at Florida A&M University's outdoor basketball courts resulted in one death and four injuries. The shooter, Chedderick Thomas, was sentenced to life without parole in 2024. An accomplice, Davhon Young Jr., received a three-year sentence for his role.

The University president released a statement.

Statement from President McCullough to FSU community

Dear FSU community,

Today, we experienced a tragic and senseless act of violence at the heart of our campus.

At lunchtime, an active shooter opened fire at the Student Union. Two were killed. Six others were injured.

We are heartbroken. We are grieving with the families, friends, and loved ones of those who were lost. We are holding close those who are injured, and we are standing by everyone who is hurting.

I’ve been in constant contact with our law enforcement and emergency teams since the incident began. The FSU Police Department, along with the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol, responded immediately and decisively. FSU Police contained the threat and prevented even greater tragedy. I am grateful for their courage and professionalism.

Right now, our focus is on taking care of people. That means the victims and their families. It means students, faculty, and staff who were nearby and are now trying to make sense of what they experienced. And it means every person in our campus community who is feeling shaken or overwhelmed.

We are working closely with our leadership, law enforcement, and mental health professionals to ensure that everyone has the support they need. If you’re struggling, please reach out to our Counseling & Psychological Services team at (850) 644-TALK (8255). You are not alone.

There will be more updates in the days ahead, and more time to reflect and heal. But now, we mourn together. We lean on one another. And we remember who we are.

We are Florida State. We are family. And we stand together.

Sincerely,

Richard McCullough

President