On April 17, 2025, Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee experienced a tragic active shooter incident that resulted in two deaths and six injuries. The shooting occurred near the student union around 11:50 a.m. Eastern Time, prompting an immediate campus lockdown and emergency response from law enforcement and medical personnel123.
Details of the Incident and Suspect
The suspected shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a political science student at FSU and the son of Jessica Ikner, a long-serving deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Phoenix used his mother’s former service handgun during the attack and was also armed with a shotgun, though it is unclear if the shotgun was fired. After opening fire, he was confronted by campus police, shot, and taken into custody. He was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries12345.
Authorities reported that the two people killed were not students of the university. Six others were injured, with five sustaining gunshot wounds and one injured while fleeing. All injured were treated at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Hospital, with one victim reported in critical condition1235.
Background on the Shooter
Phoenix Ikner had close ties to law enforcement through his mother and was involved with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Youth Advisory Council, participating in various training programs. Despite this background, he held white supremacist views and had been removed from a political club at a previous college due to these beliefs134.
The family situation was complicated by a long-standing custody dispute between his birth parents, which lasted from 2007 until 2023. His stepmother, Jessica Ikner, has been praised for her service in the sheriff’s department for over 18 years. Unfortunately, Phoenix had access to her personal firearm, which was used in the shooting135.
Campus and Community Response
Following the shooting, FSU issued alerts urging students and staff to seek shelter, lock doors, and avoid windows. The campus was secured by about 3:15 p.m., but several buildings, including the student union, remained crime scenes for investigation. All classes and university events were canceled through Friday, and sports events were suspended until Sunday13.
Students described the event as terrifying, with some hiding in nearby locations like a bowling alley or elevators to escape the shooter. The university community remains shaken by the incident, with many expressing relief at having survived the ordeal13.
About Florida State University
FSU is a major public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, with a sprawling 486-acre campus and an undergraduate enrollment of over 32,000 students. Founded in 1851, it is ranked #54 among National Universities in the 2025 U.S. News rankings. The university offers a wide range of academic programs and has a strong presence both statewide and internationally through study-abroad programs67.
This tragic shooting at Florida State University highlights the ongoing challenges of campus safety and gun violence in the United States. Authorities continue to investigate the motives behind the attack and work to support the victims and community affected by this devastating event12345.
Citations:
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