A suspect has been taken into police custody after a mass shooting on Thursday at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. At least two people were confirmed dead, with six others hospitalized after police responded to a shooting on the campus of FSU.
Per ABC News, the suspect is identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner — a current FSU student and the son of a current Leon County sheriff’s deputy, according to Sheriff Walter McNeil. The suspect is said to have had access to one of his mother’s personal weapons, which was one of the weapons found at the scene. McNeil said that 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,” adding that the suspect was also a “long-standing member” of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Advisory Council.
It appears that Ikner had a handgun and a shotgun with him when he allegedly opened fire near the Student Union at FSU, which prompted ambulances, fire trucks and patrol vehicles from multiple law enforcement agencies to respond after the university issued an active shooter alert midday Thursday. The university’s FSU Alert account on X said the report was made in the area of the student union: Police responded to an active shooter call from the area of the student union around 12:01 p.m., FSU said. The school’s alert warned those on campus to “seek shelter and await further instructions.” The university also cautioned students to lock and stay away from all doors and windows.
Police have not identified the two people killed, but said they were not students at FSU. Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said it had received six patients, all currently listed in fair condition. The suspected shooter was also being treated at the hospital.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “My heart breaks for the students, their families, and faculty at Florida State University. There is no place in American society for violence. Our entire nation is praying for the victims and their families.”
FSU informed students that the threat to the campus has been “neutralized” but the area around the campus is still considered an active crime scene. Per CNN, the university is cancelling classes, business operations and athletic events after the campus shooting: “All classes and business operations are canceled through Friday, April 18. Essential employees should check with their supervisors for further reporting instructions. Athletics events in Tallahassee are canceled throughout the weekend.”
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