With grim faces and teary eyes, officials took stock of the dead and injured in America’s latest mass shooting – one that shook Florida State University’s campus.
The air inside FSU’s Turnbull Conference Center was heavy the evening of April 17 as FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower announced the news: two dead and six injured.
The shooter, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, who is “believed to be a current FSU student,” was also shot, injured and transported to the hospital. Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said Ikner did not cooperate with law enforcement, resulting in officers needing to open fire.
“FSU police responded immediately, engaged, neutralized and apprehended the shooter,” Trumbower said.
Tallahassee Police said six people were injured, though one sustained injuries other than a bullet wound. While one was initially in critical condition, a hospital spokesperson later said all were in fair condition.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil announced that Ikner had ties to one of their own.
His mother is a resource deputy at Raa Middle School, and the handgun he used to commit the “heinous crime” was his mother’s retired service weapon that she owned.
“Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons,” McNeil said. “We are continuing that investigation into how that weapon was used and what other weapons he perhaps may have had access to.”
“Our deepest condolences go out to the FSU family, the families of the students who were here, and we understand that you all have been devastated because of this person’s actions,” he continued.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil gives updates on the Florida State University shooter during press conference on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
LCSO will be internally investigating the incident, but at this time, the sheriff said there’s no cause for Deputy Jessica Ikner to be suspended.
Law enforcement leaders were also joined by FSU President Richard McCullough, as well as numerous city and county officials.
County Commissioners Christian Caban, Rick Minor and Brian Welch, Leon County Administrator Vince Long, Mayor John Dailey, City Commissioner Curtis Richardson, City Manager Reese Goad, Tallahassee Fire Chief Gene Sanders and State Attorney Jack Campbell were all present.
Florida State University President Richard McCullough gives brief remarks during a press conference regarding the FSU shooter on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
McCullough said he and his wife visited the victims in the hospital shortly before the press conference. Officials confirmed the two fatally shot were not students but wouldn’t identify any of the casualties.
“Our hearts go out to our students and the victims of this terrible tragedy,” McCullough said.
The FBI has opened up a tip line at https://tips.fbi.gov/digitalmedia/9b865ee67abf45c to track down more information from the hundreds, maybe even thousands of witnesses present at the multiple crime scenes inside and outside the building.
The university is also offering services to provide support to students who may need it. Members of the campus community or those affected can reach out to FSU’s Counseling & Psychological Services team at (850) 644-TALK (8255).
TPD is leading the investigation, and the case is open and active, Revell said.
All classes, sporting events and activities are canceled through the weekend, and Revell encouraged students to avoid the area, which is still an active crime scene. Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College also cancelled classes on Friday.
Tallahassee Chief of Police Lawrence Revell gives updates on the Florida State University shooter on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
“This is a tragic day for Florida State University,” McCullough said as he teared up.
Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee officials break down casualties, cause of FSU shooting