On Thursday at 11:50 a.m. local time, chaos erupted near FSU's student union when 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of a Leon County deputy sheriff, opened fire.
Police believe Ikner acted alone, using his mother's personal service handgun\u00151 once her department-issued weapon, now privately owned. Two non-students were killed and six people were wounded, including bystanders rushing to help.
"Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons that was found at the scene," Sheriff Walter McNeil said. Officers responded within minutes, shooting and hospitalizing the gunman after he refused orders to surrender.
FSU Chief of Police Jason Trumbower confirmed there were no indications of a wider threat. More than 42,000 students attend the main campus, prompting shelter-in-place alerts as law enforcement secured the area.
Eyewitness Max Jenkins described the shock: "He came out firing, then shot at a maintenance cart with a bullet hole still visible. People ran for cover\u00151 it was surreal."
Visitor Chris Pento recalled the panic: "We were on a campus tour. Suddenly we heard shots. My daughter got trampled\u00151 that moment felt like a scene from a movie."
Authorities also believe Ikner brought a shotgun to campus, though they are still determining its role. This marks the second shooting at FSU in 11 years, following a 2014 library attack that injured three.
In recent years, U.S. college campuses have faced recurring gun violence: from the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre to incidents at Michigan State University and UNLV in 2023. The latest shooting raises urgent questions about campus security and responsible firearm storage.
Universities worldwide are watching closely, adapting lessons on emergency response, mental health support, and weapon storage policies from Buenos Aires to Berlin.
As Tallahassee and FSU officials review safety protocols, students and residents are left grappling with the reality of gun violence on American campuses\u00151 and the steps needed to prevent the next tragedy.
Reference(s):
Deputy sheriff's son kills two at Florida State University, police say
cgtn.com
