Florida State University Shooting
A mass shooting at Florida State University’s Student Union on Thursday, April 17, has left two people dead and six others injured in a horrifying midday attack that sent shockwaves through the campus and beyond. The suspect has been identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a current student at FSU and the son of a local sheriff’s deputy.
Authorities say the incident unfolded around 11:45 a.m. in the bustling Student Union building, where students were studying, eating, and attending meetings. Witnesses described a terrifying scene of chaos and panic as the sound of gunfire rang out and people scrambled for cover.
FSU officials confirmed that Ikner, who was armed with a handgun and a shotgun, began firing indiscriminately inside the building. Tallahassee police officers responded within minutes. After confronting the suspect near an exit, they shot and subdued him when he failed to comply with orders to surrender. He was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and remains in custody under police guard.
Victims and Casualties
Two people were killed in the attack. One of the victims has been identified as Robert Morales, 57, the university’s long-serving dining director and the founder of Gordos Cuban Cuisine — a well-loved restaurant with deep ties to the FSU community. The second victim has not yet been publicly named.
Of the six people injured, five sustained gunshot wounds and one suffered injuries while fleeing the scene. Officials at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare confirmed that two of the injured remain in critical condition, but all are expected to survive.
“This is a dark day for our university,” said FSU President Richard McCullough during a press conference Thursday night. “We are grieving the loss of valued members of our community, and we stand in solidarity with their families and loved ones.”
Suspect Background: Phoenix Ikner
The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, was a sophomore at Florida State University. Born Christian Gunnar Eriksen in 2004, he is a dual citizen of the United States and Norway. He legally changed his name to Phoenix Ikner in 2020 while still in high school. Records indicate that he had previously attended Tallahassee State College before transferring to FSU.
Ikner is the son of Jessica Ikner, a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have confirmed that the handgun used in the shooting was registered to her. The shotgun was also reportedly obtained from the family home. Law enforcement officials are investigating how the weapons were accessed and whether proper firearm storage protocols were followed.
Phoenix Ikner had no prior criminal record, but recent reports suggest he had exhibited concerning behavior and held extremist views. Former classmates and acquaintances at both Tallahassee State College and FSU described him as socially isolated and said he had expressed far-right, white supremacist ideologies online. A political student group removed him from its ranks in 2023 due to extremist rhetoric.
In a previous custody dispute between his biological parents, Ikner’s mother was once arrested for violating court orders by fleeing the country with him. He eventually returned to Florida, where he was raised primarily in Tallahassee.
Community in Mourning
In the aftermath of the shooting, the university has canceled all classes and events through at least Friday. Students and faculty have created impromptu memorials outside the Student Union, laying down flowers, candles, photos, and handwritten notes.
A public vigil is planned for Saturday evening at Langford Green, near Doak Campbell Stadium. University chaplains and mental health counselors are providing grief support and trauma services to those affected by the shooting.
“This is the kind of tragedy that cuts deep,” said Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey. “Our community is tight-knit, and we feel this loss together. We will support each other through the grief and the healing.”
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the FBI, and local authorities are jointly investigating the incident. Prosecutors are expected to charge Ikner with multiple counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed Deputy Jessica Ikner is cooperating fully with the investigation. “This is a devastating and personal tragedy for our department. Our hearts are with the victims, and we are committed to full transparency as we assist with the investigation.”
Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statement Thursday night offering condolences and pledging state support. “The entire state mourns with FSU today. We are providing every resource needed to aid the investigation and the healing of this campus community.”
Reflections and Aftermath
The shooting is one of the most serious incidents of violence to occur at a Florida university in recent years. It echoes the 2014 shooting at FSU’s Strozier Library, where three students were injured before the gunman was killed by police. As of 2025, mass shootings remain a major concern on college campuses across the United States.
Students like junior Emily Torres, who was inside the building during the shooting, say they are still shaken. “I don’t know how to make sense of what happened. I saw people running, screaming. You never think it’s going to happen at your school until it does.”
University leadership has vowed to review and strengthen campus security protocols, including building access controls, emergency notification systems, and mental health outreach.
As the investigation continues, the FSU community is left grappling with the question of why — and how — a student turned a place of learning into a site of devastation.
