Multiple victims reported in shooting on FSU campus

Two individuals were killed and six were hospitalized as a result of a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday, according to campus police. 

Officials said the suspect taken into custody was also injured. 

Leon County Sheriff Walter A. McNeil identified the alleged gunman as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student at FSU who’s also the son of a local deputy. Law enforcement said he fired a handgun that was bought by his mother, who previously used it as a service weapon. 

Ikner was also in possession of a shotgun at the time of his arrest, according to local police.

“This event is tragic in more ways than you people in the audience could ever fathom from a law enforcement perspective,” McNeil told the media at a Thursday press briefing. 

“But I will tell you this, we will make sure that we do everything we can to prosecute and make sure that we send a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County, and I dare say, across this state and across this nation,” he added.

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said it was “receiving and caring for patients,” according to a statement to NBC News Thursday afternoon.

“At this time, details are still unfolding, and we do not yet have specific information to share. However, we want to assure the community that our teams are fully mobilized and prepared to provide the highest level of care and support to all those affected,” the representative said.

The Associated Press reported later Thursday that a suspect was in custody. The university first warned students and staff in a campus alert that an active shooter was near the student union at around noon local time.

“Police are on scene or on the way. Continue to seek shelter and await further instructions. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures,” FSU wrote in the message.

Nearly 30 minutes after the first alert, school officials announced that all university activities and events would be canceled in response to the life-threatening emergency.

“All classes and university events including athletics events scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2025, have been cancelled,” FSU wrote in a follow-up alert.

“Individuals not already on the main campus at this time should avoid coming to the Tallahassee main campus,” it added.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed its presence on the Tallahassee campus while FBI officials from the Jacksonville office also said they were on the scene. The state’s Attorney General James Uthmeier also said his office was responding.

“My office is responding to the active shooter situation on FSU’s campus, and we will provide updates as they become available,” he wrote in a Thursday post on social platform X.

People could be seen in videos on social media running away from the campus and across the nearby Tennessee Street with their hands up and seeking help. 

President Trump said he was being briefed on the shooting and was actively receiving updates.

“I’ve been briefed on the Florida State University, Tallahassee, active shooting. I guess it’s an active shooter. Fully briefed as to where we are right now,” Trump told reporters from the White House. 

“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,” he added.

The situation comes more than a decade after an alumnus shot an employee and two students at an on-campus library in 2014.

Updated at 5:42 p.m. ET.