FSU Shooting:

FSU Shooting

On April 17, 2025, A mass shooting at Florida State University led to a campus-wide lockdown, the cancellation of all classes and events, and a significant law enforcement response. Authorities ultimately apprehended the suspect. The gunman began to fire on the main campus, shooting at multiple individuals and killing two people, who were not students. The tragic attack left two people dead, Tim Chabba, 45, and Ricardo Morales Jr, 57, and six others injured.

Florida State University shooting victim Robert Morales

Florida State University shooting victim Tiru Chabba

All updates were issued through official alerts from Florida State University.

• 11 a.m. Ikner arrived at the FSU parking garage, where he stayed for close to an hour before walking toward the student union.
• 11:56 a.m. Ikner left the garage.
• 11:57 a.m. He opened fire with his handgun indiscriminately at people.
• 11:58 a.m. The shooting was reported to 911
• 12:02 p.m. – Florida State University issues an emergency alert reporting an active shooter near the Student Union. Students, faculty, and staff are instructed to shelter in place.
• 12:19 p.m. – A follow-up alert confirms that police are actively responding. The shelter-in-place order remains in effect.
• 12:39 p.m. – A third alert reaffirms the shelter-in-place directive and confirms continued police activity at the Student Union.
• 2:44 p.m. – FSU announces that law enforcement is clearing rooms and introduces the safe word “SEMINOLE.” The university cancels all classes and business operations through Friday, April 18, and suspends athletic events in Tallahassee through Sunday.
• 3:18 p.m. — Authorities declare the threat neutralized. However, the Student Union and surrounding buildings remain active crime scenes. The public is advised to avoid the area.
• 3:45 p.m. – The following buildings are currently CLOSED as they are still an active crime scene: Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House, and Carraway. Individuals should not return to these buildings to retrieve personal property at this time. They are free to move about other areas of campus. Individuals who may have witnessed anything of value should call 850-891-4987.
• 3:51 p.m. – The following buildings are currently CLOSED as they are still an active crime scene: Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House, and Carraway. Individuals should not return to these buildings to retrieve personal property at this time. Individuals are free to move about other areas of campus. Individuals who may have witnessed anything of value should call 850-891-4987
• 4:30 p.m. – Press conference, officials said there were a total of nine victims: two people were killed, while six people and the gunman were hospitalized. “Out of respect for patient privacy and to ensure accurate information, we will provide updates as soon as they are available,” The hospital said all patients were in fair condition.

FSU Shooter Identification & Investigation Details

Police said the gunman was a 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student. Ikner failed to comply with commands and was shot by police. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken into custody. He has been identified as the step-son of a Leon County deputy sheriff. Phoenix had previously participated in the sheriff’s office’s Youth Advisory Council and other training programs.

Christian Gunnar Eriksen, aka Phoenix Ikner

• According to Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil, the 20-year-old Pheonix Ikner suspect is the son of a veteran deputy who has served with the sheriff’s office for 18 years. Law enforcement officers confronted Ikner at the scene. After he failed to comply with commands, he was shot and taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries.
• McNeil stated that the young man had previously participated in the department’s youth programs.
• The weapon used in the attack was identified as the former service firearm of his mother, now classified as her handgun. It was recovered at the scene.
• Sheriff McNeil stated that his office will conduct a thorough investigation into how the suspect accessed his mother’s firearm and will determine whether any disciplinary actions, including suspensions or terminations, are warranted.
• Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell added that, at this time, there is no indication the shooter acted with accomplices, and there are no ongoing threats to the community.
• After the shooting, police recovered an AR-15 style rifle, in addition to the .45 caliber pistol and shotgun recovered at the scene, inside the car Phoenix Ikner drove to campus. The vehicle was registered to the suspected gunman’s father. The multiple firearms indicate to investigators he may have been prepared to shoot more people had he not been confronted by law enforcement.
• During the initial investigation, detectives learned that the suspected gunman suffered from emotional dysregulation for which he had been prescribed medication. Investigators were told during interviews with family members that he had stopped taking some of his prescribed medication.

• Vigil held by FSU Students
• Jessica Ikner, step-mother of the FSU shooter, requested and was granted personal leave and was also transferred to the property crimes unit due to the circumstances of the situation. She previously served as a school resource officer.

University Response and Cancellations

Florida State University canceled all classes and business operations on its main Tallahassee campus through Friday, April 18. All athletic events in Tallahassee were also canceled through Sunday, April 20.

Students were allowed to return to their residence halls but were asked to remain indoors. Those who chose to leave campus for the weekend were permitted to do so.

Students requiring support services were directed to the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, where the university provided access to counseling, medical care, and other resources. Family members seeking information or assistance were also advised to visit the Civic Center.

Active Crime Scene Locations

As of Thursday afternoon, the following buildings remained active crime scenes:

• Student Union
• Bellamy Building
• HCB Classroom Building
• Rovetta Business Buildings A & B
• Moore Auditorium
• Shaw Building
• Pepper Building
• Hecht House
• Carraway Building