Tallahassee, Florida: A shocking development unfolded at Florida State University on Thursday (April 18) afternoon after a shooting on campus left two people dead and five others injured. Authorities later identified the gunman as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy. The shooting prompted a massive law enforcement response and placed the university on lockdown as officials worked to secure the scene.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 PM EDT (10:00 PM IST), leading to widespread panic across the campus. At 4:10 PM, the Tallahassee Police Department announced via X (formerly Twitter) that the campus was secured, although the Student Union and nearby areas remained active crime scenes. Police confirmed that buses were deployed to transport students to a designated reunification point at the Donald L Tucker Civic Center.
Who Is Phoenix Ikner?
Phoenix Ikner, 20, is the son of Leon County Sheriff’s deputy Jessica Ikner and was formerly involved with the Leon County Sheriff's Office Youth Advisory Council. Authorities revealed that the weapon used in the shooting was a deputy-issued firearm, which had become the personal property of Ikner’s mother after her service. It remains unclear how Ikner accessed the firearm.
During a press briefing, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil called the incident "tragic in more ways than you people in the audience could ever fathom from a law enforcement perspective." He assured the public that authorities would pursue justice to its fullest extent. “We will make sure that we do everything we can to prosecute and make sure that we send a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County, and I dare say, across this state and across this nation,” he stated.
Social media profiles allegedly linked to Ikner have also emerged, with screenshots suggesting his attendance at anti-Trump protests near the FSU campus in recent years.
The university community is reeling after the fatal shooting. While the names of the victims have not been released yet, officials have confirmed that two individuals were killed and five others sustained injuries.
As per reports, classes have been suspended at the campus, and counselors have been deployed to assist students and faculty dealing with the trauma of the day’s events.
