On Thursday, April 17, 2025, a tragic shooting at Florida State University (FSU) left two people dead and six others injured, shaking the campus community and reigniting discussions around gun violence in schools. The alleged shooter, identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, is the son of a local sheriff’s deputy, Jessica Ikner, who has served with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for over 18 years. During the incident, which began around 11:50 a.m. local time near the student union, Ikner was armed with a handgun that was previously his mother’s service weapon.
According to Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil, Phoenix Ikner had been deeply involved with the local law enforcement community, having participated in various training programs and serving as a member of the sheriff’s Youth Advisory Council. “He’s steeped in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office family,” McNeil stated, indicating that Ikner's access to firearms was not surprising given his background.
The shooting unfolded swiftly, with witnesses reporting multiple gunshots ringing out as students and faculty were advised to shelter in place. Max Jenkins, a student who witnessed the chaos, described seeing Ikner firing shots outside the student union. “He saw the maintenance guy who was waving everybody and I guess heard him probably and turned and shot that way,” Jenkins recounted. Eyewitness accounts detail a scene of panic, as students scrambled for safety.
Authorities confirmed that two individuals, who were not students, were pronounced dead at the scene. Six others were hospitalized, with one in critical condition and the rest in serious condition. The local hospital, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, reported receiving six patients following the incident.
In addition to the handgun, investigators believe that Ikner may have brought a shotgun onto campus, although it remains unclear if it was used during the shooting. Following the incident, police responded quickly, engaging Ikner when he failed to comply with orders to surrender. He was subsequently shot by responding officers and taken into custody, where he is now hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Ikner’s background has raised eyebrows, particularly regarding his upbringing. Court records reveal that his biological mother was accused of violating a custody agreement when she took him to Norway at the age of ten. She later pleaded no contest to the charges and served a jail sentence. This tumultuous childhood raises questions about the influences that may have shaped Ikner.
On social media, an account linked to Ikner featured a biblical quote that stated, “You are my war club, my weapon for battle; with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms.” This unsettling reference has drawn attention in the wake of the shooting, as community members grapple with the implications of Ikner’s actions.
Ikner was also known for his Republican views and was quoted in a student newspaper discussing anti-Trump protests. Reid Seybold, a fellow student, recalled that Ikner was asked to leave a political club due to unsettling behavior. “He had continually made enough people uncomfortable where certain people had stopped coming,” Seybold explained, noting that Ikner’s comments often strayed into controversial territory.
Community members are still struggling to reconcile Ikner’s ties to law enforcement with his alleged violent actions. Kenniyah Houston, a member of the sheriff’s youth council, expressed her shock upon learning about the shooting. “For something like this to happen from someone in a group like that is scary … it’s devastating,” she said, highlighting the unexpected nature of the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, classes and events at FSU have been canceled through the weekend, with several campus buildings remaining closed. The university community is left to process the aftermath of this incident, which marks the second shooting on the FSU campus in just over a decade. In 2014, a graduate opened fire in the main library, injuring several students.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his condolences, stating, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.” The FBI has also deployed a team to assist local authorities in the investigation.
This shooting is part of a troubling trend in the United States, where mass shootings on school campuses have become increasingly common. The Gun Violence Archive reported that there have been 81 mass shootings so far in 2025, underscoring the urgent need for discussions on gun control and safety measures in educational institutions.
As the FSU community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the implications of this shooting, the questions surrounding access to firearms and the mental health of young individuals remain pressing issues that demand attention.
