Florida State University gunman used deputy mom’s former service weapon to kill 2, wound others, police say

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 20-year-old son of a sheriff’s deputy opened fire Thursday at Florida State University with his mother’s former service weapon, killing two people and wounding five others, investigators said.

Officers quickly arrived and shot and wounded the shooter after he refused to comply with commands, said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell.

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Authorities have not yet revealed a motive for the shooting, which began around lunchtime just outside the student union, sending students and frightened parents hiding for cover in a bowling alley and a freight elevator inside the building.

The shooter, identified by police as Phoenix Ikner, is believed to be a Florida State student, investigators said.

He had obtained access to a weapon that belongs to his mother, who has been with the sheriff’s office for over 18 years, said Walt McNeil, Sheriff of Leon County. Police said they believed Ikner shot the victims using his mother’s former service handgun.

The two people who died were not students at the university, said Florida State University Police Chief Jason Trumbower, adding that he would not release additional information about the victims.

FSU’s alert system announced shortly after 3 p.m. that law enforcement had “neutralized the threat.”

“Law enforcement has neutralized the threat. Please avoid the Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House and Carraway as they are still considered an active crime scene. Individuals are free to move about other areas of campus. Individuals who may have witnessed anything of value should call 850-891-4987.”

FSU cancels classes, sporting events through Friday.

FSU President Richard McCullough sent out a post on X Thursday, urging anyone on campus struggling mentally or emotionally because of the shooting to call the Counseling and Psychological Services Team at (850) 644-TALK (8255).

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Florida state Sen. Jason Pizzo said the suspect “has been shot and captured.”

“No indication of additional shooters, so far,” Pizzo posted on X.

Ambulances, fire trucks and patrol vehicles from multiple law enforcement agencies raced toward the campus that sits just west of Florida’s state capital after the university issued an active shooter alert midday Thursday, saying police were responding near the student union.

“Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding,” Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on X.

Hundreds of students streamed away from the direction of the student union. Students were glued to their phones, some visibly emotional, while others hugged each other. Dozens gathered near the music school waiting for news.

Ryan Cedergren, a 21-year-old communications student, said he and about 30 others hid in the bowling alley in the lower level of the student union after seeing students running from a nearby bar.

“In that moment, it was survival,” he said.

After about 15 minutes of hiding, university police escorted the students out of the student union and he saw a person getting emergency treatment on the lawn, he said.

Junior Joshua Sirmans, 20, was in the university’s main library when he said alarms began going off warning of an active shooter. Law enforcement officers escorted him and other students out of the library with their hands over their heads, he said.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a social media post that the Justice Department was in touch with FBI agents who were on the scene.

President Donald Trump opened his Oval Office meeting with the Italian prime minister on Thursday with comments about the FSU shooting.

Trump said he had been “fully briefed.”

“It’s a horrible thing. It’s horrible that things like this take place.”

The FSU Alert system issued a statement just after noon, saying there was a report of an active shooter in the area of the Student Union.

Another alert was sent at 12:19 p.m. and said, “Continue to shelter in place. Police have responded to an active shooter call at the Student Union. Stay alert for more information.”

At 1:09 p.m., the school urged students to continue to shelter.

“Continue to shelter in place. Law enforcement is actively clearing rooms on the main campus. Continue to shelter in place until law enforcement contacts you.”

All FSU classes and business operations on the main campus in Tallahassee are canceled through Friday, and all athletic home events scheduled through Sunday have been canceled.

FSU is one of Florida’s 12 public universities, with its main campus located in Tallahassee, where the shooting occurred, just minutes from the state Capitol building. About 44,300 students are enrolled in the university, per the school’s 2024 fact sheet.

Check back for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.