A shooting incident at Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday resulted in multiple injuries and at least two fatalities, according to law enforcement.
Five injured, one dead in Florida State University Shooting
A suspect, 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, has been apprehended and taken into custody in connection with the violence, which unfolded at the school’s Student Union.
Officials from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare confirmed that six individuals were hospitalized following the shooting.
All sustained gunshot wounds, with two victims succumbing to their injuries. Of the remaining patients, one is in critical condition and five others are reported to be in serious condition.
Initial details provided by authorities suggest the full extent of injuries remains uncertain, as information continues to be gathered.
Ikner’s mother is reportedly a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and police believe that used her former service weapon to carry out the shooting.
The university’s emergency alert system, known as FSU Alert, issued a warning just after noon alerting students and staff to an “active shooter” situation near the Student Union.
“Police are on scene or on the way,” read an alert posted to X. “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.”
Students describe horror during violent incident
Among those who witnessed the unfolding violence was McKenzie Heeter, a junior at the university. She recounted her harrowing encounter with the alleged gunman just outside the Student Union building.
“I was leaving the union with my food. There’s a road next to it and I was walking and this guy pulls up in an orange Hummer, and he gets out with a rifle and shoots in my direction. There were a couple other kids near me,” Heeter said.
“I think he was shooting and he missed. So he goes back into his car and grabs a pistol, then he turns and shoots the lady in front of him. That’s when I just started running.”
Heeter estimated that the shooter fired about 15 rounds over the span of around 30 seconds. She said she placed a call to the police at 11:57 a.m. to report what had happened.
Describing the gunman, Heeter noted he appeared to be an average college-aged male. “He was wearing an orange T-shirt and khaki shorts,” she said, adding that he was white with light-colored hair.
At first, she assumed the man was holding a BB gun, but the sound of gunfire quickly made her realize it was a real weapon.
“When he turned back around with the pistol, I saw him shoot the lady like right in front of him. She was probably like 5 feet in front of him with the pistol,” she said.
Heeter noted that the woman, dressed in purple scrubs, did not appear to be affiliated with the university as either a student or a staff member.
“It was just me and like three other people that noticed at first, but we were walking in the opposite direction away from the union, so we started running. I just told everybody that I could see, stay away from campus,” Heeter continued. “I ran back to my apartment as fast as I could.”
Another student, 21-year-old communications major Ryan Cedergren, also found himself caught in the chaos.
He recalled taking cover in the bowling alley located in the lower level of the Student Union. He and about 30 others sought shelter there after noticing a rush of students fleeing a nearby bar.
After hiding for roughly 15 minutes, university police arrived and guided them out of the building. As they exited, Cedergren witnessed someone receiving medical attention on the lawn outside.
Lawmakers react to Florida State University shooting
Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged the event in a statement posted on X, saying, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding.”
Meanwhile, at the White House, President Donald Trump addressed the situation during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “It’s a horrible thing. It’s horrible that things like this take place,” the president remarked.
As of Thursday afternoon, law enforcement continued to treat the area surrounding the Student Union as an active crime scene.
University officials urged students and staff to stay clear of the vicinity and not to attempt to retrieve personal items from the building.
“Students may return to their residence halls but they should otherwise stay indoors on the main campus to allow first responders and university staff to do their jobs and respond to those needing assistance,” the university said in a statement on X.
“Students may depart campus for the weekend. All classes have been canceled through Friday.”
FSU has suspended all remaining academic and extracurricular activities through the end of the weekend.
2014 Florida State University shooting
Thursday’s incident marks the second time in recent memory that a shooting has occurred at FSU. A previous attack took place in November 2014 at the school’s Strozier Library, when 31-year-old FSU alumnus Myron May opened fire and injured three people.
During that shooting, May, who graduated in 2005, attempted to enter the main area of the library. However, entry barriers restricted access to students and staff, preventing him from advancing further inside.
Law enforcement responded rapidly, arriving on scene within two minutes of the first emergency call, and fatally shot May.
One student injured by May was left paralyzed from the waist down. A library staff member was shot in the leg, while another student sustained minor injuries from a grazing bullet and was treated on-site.
Investigations following the 2014 shooting revealed that May had exhibited signs of mental distress. According to police records, he believed he was being surveilled and targeted by government entities.
He had previously filed complaints in New Mexico, claiming surveillance cameras were hidden in his apartment and that he could hear voices mocking and speaking about him.
