The deputy's son is the suspect in the FSU shooting that left 2 people dead and 5 injured.

A Shocking Day at Florida State University (FSU)

Two persons were killed and six others were injured in a horrific shooting at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on April 17, 2025. Lockdowns were imposed immediately after the incident, which happened close to the university's student union building at approximately 11:50 a.m., and law officers responded quickly.

The Person in Question: Phoenix Ikner

Phoenix Ikner, 20, a political science student at FSU and the son of a longtime Leon County Sheriff's deputy, has been named by authorities as the suspect. Ikner had taken part in several law enforcement training courses and was a member of the Youth Advisory Council of the sheriff's office.

Ikner arrived on campus in an orange Hummer, according to witnesses, and fired randomly with a rifle before switching to a handgun. It was discovered that the handgun used in the assault was his mother's old service firearm.

Casualties and Victims

The shooting claimed the lives of two people who had nothing to do with FSU. Five people had significant injuries, and one person was in critical condition out of the six injured. At this point, the victims' identities have not been made public.

Response of Law Enforcement

When police arrived on the scene, they confronted Ikner next to the student union. Ikner was shot by police and brought into jail after he disobeyed orders. The incident is still being investigated, and he is presently in the hospital.

Community and University Reaction

Richard McCullough, president of FSU, offered the campus community and the victims his sincere condolences. Following the tragedy, FSU stopped all athletic events through the weekend and canceled all classes and business operations through April 18.

President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis both spoke about the incident and offered the FSU community their support. President Trump reaffirmed his support for gun rights, saying, "The people, not the gun, are responsible for the shootings."

Continued Investigation

Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the shooting. Ikner's background, including his participation in law enforcement programs and access to his mother's service weapon, is under scrutiny. The incident has reignited discussions about gun control and safety measures on college campuses.

Access to firearms and mental health

Experts have long cautioned about the risks associated with the intersection of mental health conditions and ready access to firearms. The fact that the firearm in this instance is a former military weapon and was owned by a law enforcement parent only serves to heighten the scrutiny.

Students seeking assistance after seeing or being impacted by the shooting are now overwhelming school mental health resources. FSU has added more trauma support teams and counselors.

Gun Rights vs. Gun Control

Given that the rifle originated in a law enforcement family, this tragedy has rekindled the national conversation over gun control.

Proponents of gun regulation contend that this example demonstrates that even well-trained families are vulnerable to the risks associated with unlocked firearms. Others contend that mental health, not guns, should be the main priority.

The true problems, according to pro-gun supporters, are not the guns themselves, but rather individual accountability and mental health screening.

FSU Reacts with Encouragement and Unity

The administration of FSU has made safety and assistance a top priority since the incident. Thousands of people attended a candlelight vigil at Langford Green, including community residents, alumni, and students. In order to identify students who are at danger, the institution has committed to reviewing its campus security protocols and putting early detection programs into place. The institution's mission is unmistakable: awareness is the first step toward transformation, and unity is the first step toward healing.

National Consequences

Experts predict that this incident will lead to long-term reforms in weapons laws and campus safety as the investigation progresses. The government of Florida is already debating requiring law enforcement households to receive gun safety instruction. Advocates for mental health are arguing for more money to be allocated to campus intervention initiatives. Meanwhile, FSU becomes the latest university to be permanently altered by gun violence.

Going Ahead

In addition to its sadness, April 17, 2025, will be remembered for the issues it brought to light and the voices it sparked. Many members of the FSU community are hoping that this tragedy won't go in vain and that it will spur safety improvements, changes, and—above all—avert more disasters.