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By Gabe Whisnant
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A suspect is in custody and there are reports of multiple victims after a shooting at Florida State University on Thursday.
At a press conference later on Thursday, officials confirmed that two people died in the shooting and at least six others are injured, including the suspect. Leon County Sheriff Walter A. McNeil said the suspected shooter, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, is the son of a sheriff's deputy. Ikner's mother's former service weapon was used in the shooting, McNeil said. The sheriff also said the suspect was a long-standing member of the Leon County Sheriff's Office Youth Advisory Council.
"He has been steeped in the Leon County Sheriff's Office family, engaged in a number of training programs that we have," McNeil said. "So it's not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons."
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The two individuals who died were not students at the university, though the suspected shooter is believed to be enrolled there. Five others are currently being treated at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, and the shooter is also receiving medical care.
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Tallahassee Doctor Says Shooting Victims Should Recover
Dr. Brett Howard, a surgeon at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, told CNN's Kate Bolduan Thursday night the surgeries he performed on victims of the FSU shooting were "all very successful."
"We were able to proceed to the operating room in a very systematic fashion," he said. "No real concerns honestly throughout the procedures, so we're very thankful that they went out without any issues."
Howard declined to confirm whether the suspected shooter was among the six patients being treated at the hospital. While some victims suffered serious injuries, he said all are stable, in good spirits, and expected to fully recover.
"There were some internal injuries, but [they were] able to be managed easily and [patients are] very stable," he noted.
As an FSU graduate, Howard said the incident struck a personal chord.
"A mass event like this that's right outside, at our own university, really hits close to home," he said.
How the FSU Shooting Unfolded
Ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol cars from multiple law enforcement agencies rushed to FSU midday Thursday after the school issued an active shooter alert near the student union.
CNN reported just after 1 p.m. that a suspect was in custody. At 3 p.m., CNN reported that three guns had been found on campus, including one shotgun.
The FSU Alert posted on X, formerly Twitter, at 3:17 p.m., "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."
A spokesperson confirmed that FBI officials were on the scene, along with local and Florida officials.
President Donald Trump addressed Thursday's shooting while speaking to reporters during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit. The president said, "I've been fully briefed as far as where we are right now. It's a shame, it's a horrible thing ... horrible that things like this take place. And we'll have more to say about it later."
FSU Students Describe Campus Scene During Shooting
Hundreds of students could be seen fleeing the area in social media videos, many visibly shaken and glued to their phones as they tried to understand what was happening. Junior Joshua Sirmans, 20, told AP he was in the main library when alarms sounded, warning of an active shooter. He described how law enforcement officers escorted him and others out with their hands raised.
Ryan Cedergren, a 21-year-old communications major, told AP he and around 30 others took shelter in the bowling alley beneath the student union after witnessing students fleeing a nearby bar. After about 15 minutes, university police led them out of the building. As they emerged, Cedergren said he saw someone receiving emergency medical treatment on the lawn.
"In that moment, it was survival," he said.
"Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding," Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on X.
Forrest Saunders, a Florida reporter for E.W. Scripps, posted on X, formerly Twitter, "FSU students evacuated so fast from parts of campus they left food, laptops, and shoes behind on the lawn."
At 12:45 he continued, "I have seen multiple injured being loaded into ambulances outside the Student Union. One man was shackled by law enforcement before being taken from the scene."
Later at 12:19 p.m. ET, the account posted, "Continue to shelter in place. Police have responded to an active shooter call at the Student Union. Stay alert for more information."
WCTV reported that Leon County schools near the campus are also under a lockout.
The Barstool FSU account posted a video from a building window of armed first responders running across campus.
Daniella Streety, also a student at FSU posted on X, "Active Shooter situation unfolding at the FSU student Union across from EOAS. All FSU Students need to stay indoors and shelter in place! So far as we know the EOAS is safe."
Newsweek has emailed the Tallahassee Police Department for comment.
2014 FSU Shooting
The 2014 Florida State University shooting occurred in the early hours of November 20, 2014, at Strozier Library, the main library on FSU's campus. At around 12:30 a.m., a gunman opened fire inside the library, where hundreds of students were studying for exams.
The shooter, Myron May, was a 31-year-old FSU alumnus and former attorney who had been experiencing mental health issues. He shot and injured three people—one of them critically—before being confronted by campus police. When May refused to drop his weapon, officers shot and killed him outside the building.
What to Know About FSU
Florida State University, founded in 1851, is one of the largest universities in the United States. With an enrollment of over 45,000 students, FSU offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across more than a dozen colleges. The university is recognized for its vibrant campus life, strong research programs, and nationally ranked athletics. Florida State University's main campus in Tallahassee spans nearly 500 acres. It includes over 100 buildings.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is available.
Update: 4/17/25, 12:39 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional video, information and remarks.
Update: 4/17/25, 12:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 4/17/25, 1 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 4/17/25, 1:08 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 4/17/25, 1:18 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 4/17/25, 1:32 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 4/17/25, 1:44 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 4/17/25, 1:51 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 4/17/25, 2:06 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional remarks.
Update: 4/17/25, 2:06 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 4/17/25, 3:01 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to clarify the number of reported victims in the shooting.
Update: 4/17/25, 3:24 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional remarks.
Update: 4/17/25, 4:55 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with the name of the suspected shooter and additional remarks.
Update: 4/17/25, 8:22 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
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