At least six people were injured in a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on Thursday, one critically, prompting a full campus lockdown and a major police response.
The suspect — 20-year-old Pheonix Ikner, a current FSU student — was shot by responders and has been hospitalized, police said. He was taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries, multiple law enforcement
Ikner is the son of a current Leon County sheriff’s deputy, according to Sheriff Walter McNeil. He had access to one of his mother’s personal weapons, which was one of the weapons found at the scene, the sheriff said. It appeared Ikner had a handgun and a shotgun with him, police said.
The suspect’s mother has been a deputy with the department for more than 18 years and “her service to this community has been exceptional,” McNeil said.
The shooting unfolded near the Student Union, according to police. The two people killed were not students, police said.
The first alert from FSU was issued at 12:01 p.m., warning of an active shooter near the Student Union. Students and faculty were immediately instructed to shelter in place as law enforcement officers responded to the scene.
By 1:04 p.m., a follow-up alert urged everyone to remain in lockdown while officers conducted room-by-room searches across the main campus. The alert advised students and staff to only open doors if law enforcement used the designated safe word “SEMINOLE” to verify their identity.
Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson Alicia Turner confirmed that a male suspect was taken into custody. She also stated that there were “multiple injuries,” though she did not immediately provide an exact number or comment on widespread social media speculation about the possibility of more than one shooter. Later reports confirmed that at least six individuals had been injured, with one person in critical condition.
First responders are on site at FSU pic.twitter.com/ej4nbHMAg4
— Barstool FSU (@FSU_Barstool) April 17, 2025
A significant police presence surrounded the FSU campus as officers from various agencies, including the Tallahassee Police Department and FSU Police, worked to secure the area. Emergency responders were seen transporting the injured to nearby hospitals, while law enforcement teams cleared buildings and guided students to safety.
FSU continued to advise anyone still on campus to stay in place until they were contacted directly by officers using the designated safe word. Concerned families and friends scrambled to get updates, as social media filled with both real-time updates and rumors—some of which authorities warned may be inaccurate.
Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital city, in the northwestern part of the state. The university is situated between Jacksonville and Pensacola, and the main campus address is 600 W College Ave. The shooting near the Student Union—a central hub of student activity—sent shockwaves through the campus and the wider community.
Eyewitness account from Florida State University student Max Jenkins pic.twitter.com/fKgFMBdkKD
— Alicia Devine (@alicia_c_devine) April 17, 2025
Classes and campus activities were suspended, and emergency procedures were enacted across the university.
As of Thursday afternoon, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and have not yet revealed the identity of the suspect or any of the victims. It is also not yet known whether the shooter had any connection to the university.
FSU officials have said they will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and will offer counseling services to students and staff affected by the incident.
Law enforcement agencies are expected to hold a press conference later in the day to provide further details about the shooting, the suspect, and the condition of the injured.
The shooting at FSU has reignited concerns about campus safety and the ongoing issue of gun violence in schools across the United States. The situation remains fluid, and more updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.