Florida State Shooting: Tragic Rampage Claims Two Lives in Under Five Minutes, Say Police

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A tragic scene unfolded at Florida State University when a shooting left two men dead and six others injured. This incident happened just before lunchtime as students went about their day.

The suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, is reportedly a student and the son of a local sheriff’s deputy. He arrived on campus an hour before the shooting, wandering near a parking garage. In less than five minutes, police confronted him, resulting in him being shot and wounded during the incident.

Medical staff at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare confirmed they had treated six shooting victims, all of whom are expected to recover. The identities of the victims remain confidential for now.

Florida State President Richard McCullough noted that some of the injured were students. Yet, hospital staff refrained from commenting on whether the shooter was among those treated. Following the chaos, classes were canceled, but some students returned to gather their belongings, which they had left behind in a rush.

In a prayer circle, Audrey Rothman, a member of the Florida State women’s volleyball team, summed up the feelings of many: “I don’t think any words can do it justice.” Spiraling beyond just the immediate tragedy, this attack is part of a larger trend. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the U.S. has seen over 190 mass shooting incidents just this year.

Historically, shootings on college campuses have prompted serious discussions about safety and mental health resources for students. Just a few hours before the incident, Florida State was set to host a forum addressing campus safety and hate, highlighting the ongoing dialogue around these pressing issues.

Ikner’s mother, a well-regarded officer at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, has been placed on leave after the incident. Reports indicate she had served as a school resource officer and received recognition for her work.

This community is coming together in the wake of this tragedy. Reverend R.B. Holmes addressed congregants at the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, focusing on hope and healing rather than the tragedy itself. “We shall overcome,” he said, emphasizing support for the affected families.

As investigations continue into the motive behind the shooting, the discussions around gun violence and safety in educational environments will remain at the forefront of community conversations.

For more information on gun violence trends and safety measures, you can refer to the Gun Violence Archive.

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Shootings, Tallahassee, Law enforcement, Crime, General news, AP Top News, FL State Wire, Richard McCullough, Walt McNeil, U.S. news, Maura Binkley, Education, John Dailey