October 3, 2025

FSU Student’s Trial Postponed Amid Mass Shooting Charges

News Summary

The trial of Florida State University student Phoenix Ikner, facing serious charges in a mass shooting incident, has been postponed. Originally scheduled for November, the new trial date is set for October 2026, following a conflict of interest for his public defender. Ikner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder for a shooting near the FSU Student Union. As the legal proceedings continue, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of the tragic incident.

Tallahassee, Florida – The trial of Florida State University (FSU) student Phoenix Ikner, who faces serious charges connected to a mass shooting, has been postponed until October 19, 2026. The delay in court proceedings marks a significant development in a case that has garnered attention due to the nature of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Ikner is accused of committing a shooting near the FSU Student Union on April 17, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuring six others. The charges against him include two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder. Initially set to begin on November 3, 2025, the trial date has already been adjusted multiple times, including a previous postponement to late March.

A significant reason for this most recent delay stems from a conflict of interest that compelled Ikner’s court-appointed public defender to withdraw from the case. Subsequently, a new defense team has been assigned to represent Ikner. Despite the ongoing legal challenges, he has previously entered a plea of not guilty concerning the charges filed against him.

Incident Details

According to the indictment, which was issued shortly after Ikner’s first court appearance, he allegedly utilized two stolen firearms during the shooting: a malfunctioning 12-gauge shotgun and a .45 pistol he had taken from his father. Investigations have indicated that the shooting victims were chosen at random, with no evidence suggesting that Ikner was targeting particular individuals or groups during the incident.

Ikner is notably the stepson of a local sheriff’s deputy and reportedly used a service weapon belonging to his stepmother to execute the attack. As a result of the incident, law enforcement officials, particularly FSU Police Officer Cody Poppell, were praised for their prompt response. Poppell shot Ikner and was able to neutralize the threat within three minutes after the shooting began.

Legal Background

After the shooting, Ikner was hospitalized for several weeks due to injuries sustained from the gunfire exchanged with law enforcement. His case’s complexity increased following prosecutors’ indications that they plan to seek the death penalty for the accused. A grand jury indicted Ikner on various charges the day after the shooting occurred, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Furthermore, background checks and investigations into Ikner’s history reveal no previous mental health or behavioral issues either during his time at Leon County Schools or at Florida State University. This lack of documented issues raises questions about the motivations behind the violent events of that day.

Upcoming Court Dates

The next court proceeding scheduled in this case is an arraignment hearing set for June 11, 2025. As the legal process continues, the adjustments to the trial dates reflect ongoing complexities, including the recent changes in Ikner’s legal representation and the serious nature of the offenses he faces.

The communities affected by this tragic incident are left grappling with the ramifications of the shooting, while the judicial system navigates the intricacies of the case against Ikner. As the trial approaches, the focus will remain on the legal proceedings and the implications of the decisions made during this critical time.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER

The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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