News Summary
A shooting at Florida State University on April 17, 2025, resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. The shooter, a 20-year-old student, was apprehended by law enforcement after the incident led to a campus-wide lockdown. The victims included university staff, highlighting ongoing issues of gun violence in Florida. The community is reeling as investigations continue and discussions on gun laws reignite.
Tallahassee, Florida – An active shooter incident at Florida State University (FSU) resulted in two fatalities and six injuries on April 17, 2025, around 11:50 a.m. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student and the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy, was taken into custody after the shooting.
Two victims, who were not FSU students, were killed in the tragedy. Robert Morales, a university dining coordinator, and Tiru Chabba, a food service vendor, lost their lives in the incident. The shooting also left six individuals with injuries; five sustained gunshot wounds, while one was injured in the chaos of fleeing. All injured victims are reportedly in stable condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
Ikner used a handgun that belonged to his mother, who is a long-time deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. A shotgun was also recovered from the scene of the shooting. Law enforcement acted swiftly, and after Ikner refused to comply with police commands, he was shot and later hospitalized for serious but non-life threatening injuries.
In response to the situation, FSU implemented a campus-wide lockdown, instructing students and staff to seek shelter and avoid designated buildings that were deemed crime scenes. Consequently, all classes and events at the university were canceled through April 18, 2025, and campus buildings remained closed.
This shooting marks the sixth mass shooting in Florida within 2025, contributing to a concerning trend that continues to unfold across the state. Florida State University has a history of gun violence incidents, including a library shooting in 2014 that raised significant concerns regarding campus safety.
The incident prompted an immediate investigation involving local law enforcement, with additional support from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Governor Ron DeSantis expressed condolences on social media and ordered flags throughout the state to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and extended his condolences but reaffirmed his support for the Second Amendment, signaling there would not be immediate calls for changes to existing gun laws. This shooting adds to the tally of 81 mass shootings that have occurred across the United States in 2025, which has intensified discussions regarding gun laws and public safety at both state and national levels.
Ikner was reportedly involved with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office’s youth advisory programs, indicating some familiarity with police protocols. He had access to his mother’s firearm, a situation that emerged from a lengthy custody dispute between his biological parents.
Witnesses at the scene described a nightmarish scenario, detailing the sounds of multiple gunshots and the sight of students fleeing or barricading themselves in classrooms. Many reported confusion and panic as the situation unfolded. Following the shooting, a safety event scheduled for that day, titled “United Against Hate,” was canceled.
The aftermath of the shooting has reignited debates over gun control laws in Florida, prompting advocacy groups to call for stronger regulations while gun rights advocates continue to oppose any changes. The community, still in shock, is grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy as investigations continue.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee Democrat
- Wikipedia: Mass shootings in the United States
- USA Today
- Google Search: Florida State University shooting
- Click Orlando
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Control
- Al Jazeera
- Google News: FSU shooter April 2025
