FSU Student Opens Fire Near Student Union, Killing Two and Injuring Six; Police Confirm No Links Between Suspect and Victims
TALLAHASSEE, FL — In a shocking midday tragedy that unfolded on Thursday at Florida State University (FSU), two individuals were killed and six others injured after 20-year-old student Phoenix Ikner opened fire near the student union building. As investigators continue piecing together the suspect’s motive, police confirmed on Friday that there is no apparent connection between Ikner and his victims.
A Quiet Campus Shattered
The shooting erupted just before noon as students and staff were going about their usual routines. Witnesses describe panic, chaos, and the unmistakable sound of gunfire echoing across campus.
“I thought it was construction at first,” said FSU student Blake Leonard. “Then I saw people running and realized this was something else. Shots just kept going off—maybe 12 or 15 more.”
Another student, Ava Arenado, described how her class was alerted mid-lecture via phone notification. “We immediately barricaded the doors. Everyone just froze in fear,” she told CBS News Miami.
Police responded in under five minutes, engaging the suspect and shooting him after he reportedly failed to follow commands. Ikner was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and is expected to face multiple charges, including first-degree murder.
Victims Identified, Community in Mourning
Two victims lost their lives in the shooting. Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old Aramark employee from Greenville, South Carolina, was on campus working when he was killed. Chabba, a married father of two, had traveled to FSU as part of his job with Aramark, which manages the university’s dining services.
“We are absolutely shaken by the news and our deepest sympathies are with the family and our entire Aramark community,” the company said in a statement.
The second victim, Robert Morales, was also an FSU dining employee. His sister identified him in a moving tribute posted online. Morales had worked as a dining coordinator at the university since 2015, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Six other individuals sustained gunshot wounds. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare reported Friday that all are in stable condition, with two expected to be released that day and the rest anticipated to make full recoveries.
The Shooter: Phoenix Ikner’s Troubled Past
The alleged shooter, Phoenix Ikner, is a current student at FSU. Authorities revealed that the firearm used in the attack belonged to his stepmother, Jessica Ikner, a veteran police officer and school resource officer. According to Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil, the weapon had been issued to her before the department upgraded its arsenal and had been kept for personal use.
Ikner was reportedly a longtime participant in the sheriff’s youth advisory council and had completed various training programs within the department. Despite this involvement with law enforcement, Ikner reportedly struggled with several health issues, including ADHD and a growth disorder. He was raised primarily by his father and stepmother after a protracted custody dispute with his biological mother.
“This is not a case of someone falling through the cracks,” said Sheriff McNeil. “It is not a surprise that he had access to weapons, given his household and background.”
A shotgun was also recovered at the scene, though it is unclear whether it was used in the attack.
No Known Motive, No Connection to Victims
In a video statement, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell stated unequivocally: “At this point, there does not appear to be any connection at all between the shooter and any of the victims.”
Authorities remain baffled by the motive behind the attack. While the suspect had made a few online comments in the past, including one critical of anti-Trump protesters, there is no indication that political ideology played a role in the shooting.
White House Responds
President Donald Trump addressed the incident briefly, calling it “a shame, a horrible thing,” and reaffirmed his support for the Second Amendment when asked whether the attack might spur changes in U.S. gun laws.
“I have protected it [the Second Amendment] since the beginning,” Trump stated. “These things are terrible. We will have more to say about it later.”
A University in Grief
In the wake of the tragedy, makeshift memorials have appeared on campus, with students gathering to mourn and support each other. Three individuals were seen arm-in-arm in front of a growing line of flowers laid outside the student union—silent testimony to a campus community forever changed.
FSU officials are coordinating with local law enforcement and crisis counselors to provide support services for those impacted.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about what led Phoenix Ikner—a young man with law enforcement ties and no prior violent record—to commit a senseless act of violence against strangers.
