What was supposed to be a normal day at Florida State University turned into a horrifying ordeal when gunfire erupted on campus, leaving two people dead and several others injured.
Students scattered in fear, some hiding under desks, others abandoning food and belongings as they ran for safety.
Videos of the chaos quickly flooded social media, capturing the panic and confusion in real time.
Now, in the aftermath, the focus has turned to understanding how something so tragic could have happened—and who was behind it.
Who Was the Shooter?
The suspect has been identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student who, according to authorities, opened fire with a handgun previously owned by his stepmother, a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say he had no known connection to the victims and appeared to fire at random.
Sadly, two university staff members—Tiru Chabba, a regional vice president with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, and FSU dining coordinator Robert Morales—lost their lives in the attack.
Ikner himself was injured during the shooting and is currently recovering in the hospital.
Though his injuries are described as “significant,” they are not life-threatening.
Once released, he’s expected to face serious charges, including first-degree murder.
Mental Health and Medication Questions
Sources close to the situation told CNN that Ikner had previously been diagnosed with emotional dysregulation—a condition that can affect mood and behavior.
However, it’s believed that he was no longer taking his prescribed medication at the time of the attack.
Whether this had any direct influence on his actions is still unknown, and authorities have not yet confirmed if his mental health played a role in the shooting.
Connection to Law Enforcement
Adding to the complexity of the case, Ikner’s stepmother, Deputy Jessica Ikner, is a member of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
She had reportedly purchased the handgun used in the attack while it was still a law enforcement weapon, a common practice among deputies.
Officials also confirmed that Phoenix had participated in youth training programs connected to the sheriff’s office, making the incident all the more difficult for the department.
Alarming Ideological Beliefs
In the days following the tragedy, more troubling details about Ikner’s background have come to light.
A former classmate who participated in a political discussion group with him claimed that Ikner often expressed white supremacist views and aligned with far-right rhetoric.
“Basically, our only rule was no Nazis,” said Reid Seybold in an interview with NBC, “and he still managed to cross that line.”
Witness Accounts and Campus Response
Eyewitnesses described the chaos in vivid detail.
One student reported seeing a young man step out of the student union with a handgun.
Another said they heard what sounded like automatic gunfire.
As students scrambled to flee or find hiding spots, emergency services rushed to the scene.
One video captured a victim being carried away by paramedics, while others showed terrified students sheltering in place.
Authorities have continued to urge students and residents to avoid the area and stay indoors as the investigation continues.
What Happens Next?
With the shooter in custody and a shaken community looking for answers, the road ahead will involve healing, accountability, and deep reflection.
Investigators are working to uncover a motive, understand Ikner’s mental health history, and determine how he was able to access a weapon so easily.
In the meantime, FSU and the surrounding community mourn the lives lost and rally together in the face of tragedy.