A terrifying shooting at Florida State University (FSU) on April 17, 2025, left two dead and five wounded before campus police swiftly intervened, stopping the gunman just two minutes after the first 911 calls.
The suspect, 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, opened fire near the student union with a former service weapon belonging to his father, a Leon County sheriff’s deputy. Authorities found an AR-15 rifle in his car and a shotgun inside the student union, suggesting he may have planned a larger attack.
A Rapid and Chaotic Attack
The violence unfolded in just five minutes:
- 11:51 AM: Ikner left a parking garage.
- 11:56 AM: First shots fired.
- 11:58 AM: Panicked 911 calls flood in.
- 12:00 PM: Police shoot and arrest Ikner after he ignored commands.
FSU President Richard McCullough praised law enforcement’s quick response, saying they “prevented a bigger tragedy.”
Who Were the Victims?
The shooting claimed the lives of:
- Robert Morales, a beloved FSU dining coordinator known for his kindness and homemade Cuban meals.
- Tiru Chabba, an Aramark employee and devoted father of two, whose family was preparing for Easter when tragedy struck.
Five others were hospitalized but are expected to recover.
Who Is the Shooter?
Ikner, a political science major, had a history of extreme views, according to classmates. Former peers at Tallahassee State College said he:
- Defended Nazi symbols in class.
- Criticized civil rights icons like Rosa Parks.
- Mocked Black Lives Matter and pro-Palestinian protests.
Court records reveal a troubled childhood, with a bitter custody battle between his parents. His biological mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen, told reporters she had been alienated from him for years and was shocked by the attack.
A Community in Mourning
Vigils were held across campus, with flowers, candles, and messages honoring the victims. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags at half-staff until Monday.
Classes resume April 22, but students like Reid Seybold say they don’t feel safe. The university is offering remote learning options to help the community heal.
This marks Florida’s sixth mass shooting this year—a grim reminder of the 2018 Parkland massacre that left 17 dead.
