News Summary
Molly Canty, a rising senior at Florida State University, is dealing with the emotional aftermath of a campus shooting that left two dead and several injured. As a survivor, she reflects on her experiences with gun violence, including anxiety and trauma that have affected her since childhood. The Florida State community mourns the victims while grappling with the implications of recurring violence on student mental health and safety. This incident highlights the urgent need for awareness and change regarding gun violence in educational settings.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Molly Canty, a 21-year-old rising senior at Florida State University (FSU), is grappling with the trauma of her recent experience as a survivor of a campus shooting that left two individuals dead and six others injured on April 17, 2025. This event marks yet another chapter in a series of traumatic experiences with gun violence that Canty has faced since childhood.
During an outdoor class activity at FSU, gunfire erupted less than 100 yards away from where Canty was situated. As chaos ensued, she observed her peers fleeing in panic while she struggled to move, overwhelmed by fear as 15 to 20 shots rang out. The haunting memory of the sound of gunfire, as well as the subsequent arrival of police sirens and helicopters, is now forever etched in her mind.
The university’s community has since mourned the loss of Robert Morales, who worked in campus dining services, and Tiru Chabba, a father of two. Medical staff have reported that all six injured individuals from the shooting are expected to fully recover. In response to the tragedy, FSU held a vigil for the victims, attended by grieving students and faculty members.
The acknowledged shooter, Phoenix Ikner, is the stepson of a sheriff’s deputy and reportedly accessed his mother’s former service weapon to carry out the attack. Ikner was taken into custody on charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder. Sources revealed that he experienced a tumultuous childhood marked by custody disputes and emotional suffering.
Gun violence has become the leading cause of death for youth in America since 2020, exacerbating fears surrounding school safety and mental health among students. Canty’s battle with anxiety began shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting in December 2012, prompting her experiences of panic attacks, night terrors, and significant weight loss as a result of pervasive emotional distress. These experiences were further compounded by her awareness of a close friend who became a victim of the Parkland shooting in February 2018.
The effects of traumatic events like these have been documented by medical professionals, who note a concerning rise in instances of depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly related to school active shooter drills. Canty reflected on these emotional challenges, stating that previous lockdown situations had left her with heightened anxiety, even during non-threatening scenarios, such as fire alarms.
In the wake of the FSU shooting, university president emphasized the pervasive impact of violence in the community and expressed sorrow for the tragic losses. The shooting has further illuminated ongoing concerns about students suffering from recurrent trauma due to multiple shootings throughout their education.
Despite her experiences, Canty has conveyed her resolve to confront her fears and seek a sense of normalcy in her daily life. As a survivor, she is determined to establish a routine that allows her to navigate the aftermath of trauma while advocating for discussions around the chronic impacts of gun violence on young people.
The FSU incident highlights not only individual cases of trauma but also the pressing need for societal awareness and change regarding gun violence in schools. With an increasing number of students impacted by similar experiences, the community faces the challenge of addressing both the immediate fallout and the long-term repercussions of such tragedies on mental health and safety in educational environments.
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Additional Resources
- CNN: Molly Canty and FSU School Shooting
- Wikipedia: Gun Violence in the United States
- Fox News: FSU Alleged Mass Shooter Mugshot
- Google Search: Florida State University shooting
- AP News: What to Know About the FSU Shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Shooting
- ABC News: Active Shooter at FSU
- Google News: FSU shooting
- NBC News: FSU Active Shooter Live Blog
- Google Scholar: FSU Shooting Trauma
- BBC News: FSU Shooting Overview
