Two people were killed and six others were wounded Thursday when the 20-year-old son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy went on a shooting spree on Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee using his mother’s firearm, according to law enforcement officials. After being shot, the alleged shooter was transported to a nearby hospital. According to the list, the remaining student casualties were in fair condition.
About an hour after the initial reports of a shooting, sirens continued to blare. The university informed the campus community that “law enforcement has neutralized the threat” at approximately 3:30 p.m., but cautioned that several buildings remained “active crime scenes.”
Authorities claimed to have “secured” the campus shortly after.
This is an ongoing news story that is still evolving. Below are the new goods.
Students congregate around improvised memorials as night falls.
As the sun set Thursday evening, students started to congregate close to Florida State University’s student union building, and the shock and anguish were evident.
As scores of adolescents and young people silently held on to one another around a makeshift monument that had grown on the sidewalk leading to what had been a horrific and heartbreaking sight only hours before, birds chirped sweetly.
Some arrived by themselves. Others approached in groups of friends or in pairs. Many brought teddy bears, balloons, and flowers. Others consoled the survivors and paid tribute to the victims by lighting candles and leaving letters.
In the midst of commotion, students can retrieve personal items they left behind.
Backpacks, iPads, and even sandals were left behind as terrified kids ran for their lives. Students will be able to get their possessions back. Friday
On Friday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., members of the campus community will be able to pick up personal possessions from a few campus buildings.
“When claiming your belongings, be ready to show a photo ID,” the university posted on FSU Alert.
University employees, volunteers, and teachers will be present at each of the following places to help people retrieve their items even though all campus buildings will be locked: The Bellamy Building Building EAOS The Carothers Building Library of Dirac Science The Student Union at FSU The HCB Classroom Building at Strozier Library The Leach Center The Longmire Building Building Love Moore Auditorium at Montgomery Hall Rovetta Company A&B The Thagard Building.
Please phone 850-644-4444 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday to arrange help if your possessions were left in a different campus facility that is not on this list or if you are unable to pick them up.
On Friday, FSU will set up a vigil and student support center.
On Friday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the university will establish a Support Center at the Askew Student Life Center. Staff will be ready to help and answer questions, and counseling and victim advocate services will be offered.
Additionally, the university will host a victims’ vigil in front of the unconquered statue in Langford Green on April 18 at 5 p.m. Nearly 11 years ago, a similar vigil was held on campus following the Strozier Library. And then again following the 2018 shooting at the Hot Yoga Studio, which claimed the lives of a former College of Medicine professor and an FSU student.
On Friday, April 18, at 5 p.m., the university will organize a vigil for the victims in front of the Unconquered Statue at Langford Green.
Sen. Rick Scott pays hospital visits to FSU students
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., visited injured FSU students at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and stated the students expressed their gratitude to the hospital, law enforcement, and school community.
“They love FSU and are very comfortable FSU’s gonna take care of them,” he stated. “They want to get back in class.”
All of the pupils are listed in fair condition.
“They’re really positive. “They are obviously injured,” Scott remarked. “However, they have faith that this hospital will look after them. This medical facility has excellent… The system in place in Tallahassee is a blessing.
Scott served as governor during the 2016 Pulse Nightclub massacre, the 2014 FSU shooting at Strozier Library, and the 2018 Parkland tragedy. According to him, the legislature passed historic legislation that was enacted, increasing the number of police officers on the streets and improving mental health services by implementing risk assessment tests and active shooter drills.
The legislature this year has considered repealing several of those regulations, such as the ban on 18-year-olds buying long firearms.
“I think the laws we passed are sound. Every legislature has the right to make its own decisions, but we put a lot of effort into getting that passed,” he said.
His response to the question of what he wanted to convey to the students at FSU was, “I can’t say I know what everyone went through, but my heart goes out because people were traumatized by this.”
Following a shooting, FSU updates the campus community.
“Due to a shooting at the Student Union, all classes on the main Florida State University campus in Tallahassee are cancelled Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18,” the university announced late Thursday on its Alerts website at 7:21 p.m. Workers should ask their managers for additional reporting guidelines and to find out if they are considered essential staff.
“The Student Union and the surrounding area are still regarded as active crime scenes,” it continued. The campus community and the public should stay away from the area. At this time, students should refrain from going back to the Student Union to pick up personal belongings. To enable law enforcement and university personnel to carry out their duties and aid those in need, students should remain indoors on the main campus, however they are free to return to their residence halls. Dining options at the Honors Building, Suwannee, and Seminole Cafe are open until 8 p.m. April 17, Thursday.
The Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Strozier and Dirac Libraries, Hecht House, and Carraway are all now closed. Right now, people shouldn’t go back to these buildings to get their personal belongings. People are allowed to go freely about the campus.
“Students who require support should contact our Counseling & Psychological Services department at (850) 644-TALK (8255).” Anyone with valuable information to provide can contact 850-891-4987. People should report any potential photographic or video evidence to www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.
Families of each victim have been notified. The events of today have caused many people to lose their possessions, including their personal cell phones. We still encourage all employees and students to get in touch with their families as soon as possible to let them know they are okay and safe. Those who left their possessions in buildings during the incident are encouraged to complete the survey by clicking this link: fla.st/55ONDDIT. Those who complete the survey will receive information on how to pick up their possessions on Friday.
Through Sunday, all FSU athletic activities in Tallahassee are canceled.
McCullough, president of FSU: “We are heartbroken.”
6:19 p.m. FSU President Richard McCullough wrote an open letter to the student body detailing the “tragic and senseless act of violence at the heart of our campus.”
“An active shooter opened fire at the Student Union at lunchtime,” he added. There were two fatalities. Another six were hurt. We are devastated. Alongside the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased, we are in mourning. We are supporting everyone who is in pain and holding those who are affected close.
Since the crisis started, I’ve been in close communication with our emergency and law enforcement personnel. Responding swiftly and forcefully were the FSU Police Department, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol. The threat was neutralized by FSU Police, averting a worse catastrophe. I appreciate their expertise and bravery.
“At the moment, we are concentrating on caring for people. In other words, the victims and their loved ones. It refers to the pupils, teachers, and staff who were in the vicinity and are currently attempting to understand what they went through. And it refers to everyone on campus who is experiencing anxiety or overwhelm.
“To make sure that everyone receives the assistance they require, we are collaborating closely with our leadership, police enforcement, and mental health specialists. Please call our Counseling & Psychological Services staff at (850) 644-TALK (8255) if you’re having trouble. You’re not by yourself.
“In the coming days, there will be more developments as well as more time for introspection and recovery. Now, however, we grieve as one. We rely on each other. We also recall who we are. Florida State is who we are. We are related. And we are together.
“Today, we are all Seminoles,” said Governor DeSantis.
On behalf of himself and First Lady Casey DeSantis, Governor Ron DeSantis released a video statement on X at 5:30 p.m. on the FSU tragedy. Below is a transcript:
“Casey and I are praying for the entire Florida state community and stand together in solidarity. In addition to wishing well to those who are already recuperating in the hospital, we are grieving for the two people who perished in this terrible incident. The full force of the law must and will be applied to bring this murderer to justice.
“For the benefit of the institution and the city of Tallahassee, I also want to thank the law enforcement officers who were present. They sprinted toward the direction of the threat. Without a doubt, they saved lives by preventing this murderer from causing additional damage.
Today, we are all Seminoles. We are ready to assist in any manner we can. May you and Florida State University be blessed.
According to his official schedule, which was made public Thursday night, he and his spouse had arrived to TMH at 6 p.m. Additionally, he recorded talks with FSU Board of Trustees chair Peter Collins (1:30) and President Richard McCullough (1:20 p.m.) earlier in the day. He spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel shortly after (1:50), presumably regarding the shooting.
Live press conference with law police regarding the incident at FSU
An update on the health of the shooting victims
4:56 p.m. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred today at FSU,” Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said in a new public statement regarding the massacre. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students, their families, and everyone else affected by this tragic circumstance. Thursday’s patients were taken to the hospital, a Level II trauma facility.
Regarding this occurrence, TMH has six patients, all of them are in fair condition at the moment. All patients are receiving the best care possible from our committed trauma teams, and we are always ready to respond to their requirements. We are still collaborating closely with public safety agencies and emergency responders. We will provide changes as needed to protect patient privacy and guarantee information accuracy.
“We ask for the community’s support and compassion during this difficult time.”
Press briefing on the FSU shooting
4:38 p.m. Two fatalities and six injuries have now been confirmed by law authorities in the shooting that occurred on Thursday on the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee.
Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old FSU student and the son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, was identified as the shooter. In order to protect himself, he used an old service firearm that belonged to his mother, a school resource deputy at Raa Middle School. First responders shot him and transported him to TMH.
“This is a tragic day for Florida State University,” Richard McCullough, president of the university was remarked. “We’re absolutely heartbroken by the violence.”
In response to a Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) march on campus in Tallahassee, Ikner was featured in an FSView/Florida Flambeau article in January. Ikner, a political science major, stated, “These people are usually pretty entertaining, usually not for good reasons.” “Trump will be inaugurated on January 20 and there isn’t much you can do unless you revolt outright, which I don’t think anyone wants,” the speaker said.
Additionally, the FBI has established a tip line online at www.fbi.gov/fsushooting. “If you have any video or audio media related to the incident, please upload here,” the website states.
Voices from the shooting at FSU
4:12 p.m. — Students who were on campus during Florida State University’s April 17 active shooter event, which resulted in six injuries, talk about their “terrifying” experiences. As of 3:15 p.m. Thursday, the incident was still going on, and there were still “shelter in place” alerts in effect on campus.
In Florida, where the Parkland massacre happened only seven years ago and FSU was the location of a shooting a few years ago, these situations have become all too frequent.
The campus ceremony honoring the victim of the Tallahassee hot yoga shooting is canceled due to the active shooting at FSU.
4:10 p.m.: Because of an ongoing shooting at Florida State University on the day of the event, an event intended to encourage campus and student safety was canceled.
Maura Binkley, a 21-year-old senior at FSU, was one of two people killed in the Tallahassee hot yoga studio shooting on November 2, 2018, and the active shooting took place on the day of the “United Against Hate” event.
The gunman, who had a lengthy history of violence and hatred toward women, opened fire in the sweltering yoga studio, killing Binkley and Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61.
The press conference has been postponed till 4:30 p.m.
3:43 p.m. — The press conference regarding the FSU shooting has been rescheduled from its original 4 p.m. time slot at the Augustus B. Turnbull Conference Center on West Pensacola Street to 4:30 p.m.
Thousands and thousands of police “
3:33 p.m. Senior media and communications student Andrew Cheyne was at a billiards class in the FSU Student Union basement. He said that patrons of the building’s pub, Proof Brewing Co., had locked themselves in the restrooms and that someone had run into the billiard hall from the basement bowling alley.
According to Cheyne, “they were worried that something had happened.” According to him, the bowling coach locked the doors to both rooms after a teacher entered the billiard hall. “We holed up there for ten or fifteen minutes, maybe thirty or forty of us.”
Despite describing himself as “frightened,” he prayed, relying on his Christian faith.
“After waiting for a long time, we received a call from the police informing us that we would be leaving the building.” After initially moving behind the bowling alley, the group waited a little while longer until the cops led them outside. According to Cheyne, he observed “paramedics, and tons and tons of police,” one individual on the ground in handcuffs, and another injured party.
In response to messages from family, friends, and loved ones asking how he was doing, the Lakeland native stated that he intended to pack his bags and return home for a few days in order to spend the Easter holiday with his family.
He had been working on a written recollection of his experience at the school prior to the incident. Being able to attend a school he loved “made me thankful.” “I’m saddened by the idea that someone would attempt to damage this lovely community in Tallahassee, and I wonder what’s wrong with them.”
‘Neutralized’ campus threat, according to FSU
3:23 p.m. – FSU Alerts’ most recent update: “The threat has been neutralized by law enforcement.” Because they are still being used as crime scenes, please stay away from the Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House, and Carraway. People are allowed to roam freely across the campus.
The phone number for anyone who may have “witnessed anything of value” is 850-891-4987.
The hospital keeps the number of injuries at six.
3:16 p.m. — Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare released a follow-up statement: “A total of six patients have been brought to TMH in connection with this incident. Five patients are currently in serious condition, and one is in critical condition. All patients are receiving the best care possible from our committed trauma teams, and we are always ready to respond to their requirements.”
The Democrat was also informed by a Tallahassee police official that they had “one man in custody.”
Classes are canceled and a press conference is planned.
2:48 p.m. — The Augustus B. Turnbull Conference Center on West Pensacola Street at FSU has scheduled a news conference on the incident for 4 p.m.
Additionally, the institution made the following modification to its “Alerts” page: “Until Friday, April 18, all Florida State institution classrooms and business operations on the main campus in Tallahassee are canceled. Essential staff members should ask their managers for additional reporting guidelines. Through Sunday, all FSU athletic activities in Tallahassee are canceled.
“The institution offers counseling, medical care, and other support services at the Donald L. Tucker Center for students who require assistance. Additionally, family members can get help at the Tucker Center. It is requested that staff, instructors, and students give their loved ones a call as soon as possible to let them know how they are doing. The area around the Student Union is still regarded as an active crime scene. People should stay away from the area. At this time, students should refrain from going back to the Student Union to pick up personal belongings.
To enable first responders and university employees to carry out their duties and aid those in need, students should remain indoors on the main campus, however they are free to return to their residential halls. Students are free to spend the weekend away from campus.
‘Back to normal’ at Leon Schools
2:34 p.m. “All LCS schools have resumed their regular operations. “District-wide lockout has been lifted,” the district wrote on X.
Additionally, TPD announced on social media that a student reunification facility has been set up inside the Tucker Civic facility.
“All clear” has not yet been given at FSU.
2:31 p.m. Campus buildings are still being cleared by law enforcement. The institution declared that “all business operations and classes are canceled through Friday, April 18.”
Additionally, it stated: “For additional reporting instructions, essential personnel should consult their superiors. Over the weekend, Tallahassee’s athletic events are canceled.
The first shooting at FSU since 2014
2:26 p.m. It was November 2014 when Florida State last experienced an active shooter. Just after midnight, 31-year-old Myron May entered the university’s Strozier Library and began shooting, wounding three people before Tallahassee and FSU police swiftly shot and killed him.
During the on-campus incident, May, a paranoid and mentally ill lawyer who graduated from FSU, fired a.380 semi-automatic at seven individuals.
One employee and two students, including Farhan Ronny Ahmed, a student at the time who was shot and left paralyzed from the hip down, were among the three people hurt in that shooting.
“It was frightful.”
2:12 p.m. FSU student Paige Miller heard four loud bangs while using the restroom outside her classroom in the Moore building near to the Student Union. “To be honest, I thought the roof was going to collapse, but then all of a sudden three girls ran in, one of them crying,” she remarked. “There is an active shooter, so I should call the police,” one of the females says, glancing over to my stall. She dialed 911. They kept the restroom door locked for twenty minutes until the police showed up. She observed a single person on the ground surrounded by police as she went outside.
Though he wasn’t certain, Miller thought he was a shooter. Additionally, Miller overheard cops stating that they were trying to find a shotgun. She noticed two injured individuals on the ground near the Student Union. She claimed to have seen them while they were still on the grass. “I believe a couple were moved to the pavement.” Law enforcement was everywhere, she recalled, adding, “It was terrifying.”
No deaths have been formally confirmed as of yet.
2:10 p.m. As of 2 p.m., police authorities had not confirmed any fatalities from Thursday’s shooting, despite conflicting news reports and social media posts about the number of people killed and injured.
Stephanie Derzypolski, a spokesman for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, previously informed the Democrat that the emergency room staff at TMH was caring for six patients, one of whom was in critical condition and the others in serious condition.
Events at FSU have been canceled.
2:04 p.m. The university announced on X that “all Florida State athletics home events through Sunday, April 20 have been canceled.” When further information about the events planned for next week becomes available, it will be shared.
“Everyone began to panic.”
“Everyone began to panic.”
1:53 p.m. According to Sam Swartz and Sean Gulledg, the shooting began while they were in the FSU student union’s basement. According to Swartz, “everyone started freaking out.” He claimed that as they were working on a group project, they heard ten or so gunshots.
The eight-person crew took up positions in a hallway and began securing the opening with plywood and trash cans. “They don’t want to do anything that takes time; they’re just trying to get as many people as possible,” Swartz recalled, “so I learned to do everything in my power to make them take time.”
Gulledg went on to say that although the entire experience lasted only ten minutes, “it felt a lot longer.”
Students heard police officers urging everyone to come out with their hands up as they moved up and down the hallways. Before leaving, everyone was inspected and patted down.
According to resident assistant Gulledg, they prepare for these kinds of scenarios but never imagined they would need to utilize them. “I had faith in the training,” he stated.
‘Fully briefed’ on the FSU shooting by President Trump
President Donald Trump claims to have been “fully briefed” on the active shooter at Florida State University in Tallahassee, according to USA TODAY, which reports this at 1:48 p.m.
It’s unfortunate. Trump subsequently told reporters in the Oval Office, “It’s a terrible thing, terrible that things like this happen.”
The governor of Florida gives victims prayers.
“Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding,” the governor tweeted on X at 1:43 p.m.
We raised our hands as we left. “
1:34 p.m. – Rafael Fernandez, a sophomore at FSU, was in class in the Rovetta Building when an alarm came over the PA system and an alert showed on the screen in the lecture hall. Students stood in a section of the room without windows as his professor locked the doors.
Eventually TPD cops arrived, and they opened the doors. “We walked out with our hands up, and we were escorted out of the building into a clear area, a safe zone,” Fernandez stated.
Students were hiding, teachers were rushing.
At 1:30 p.m., students at the College of Business building next to the student union reported hearing an instructor warn them of the union gunman by running down the corridor. Angel Dejesus, a junior at FSU, claimed that his classmates had locked themselves in a smaller room inside the classroom he was in. Dejesus claimed that although he was trying to block out the pandemonium by preparing for a final exam that was in an hour, things became “much more serious” when a student who had witnessed the Parkland incident walked in. “Man, I never imagined this would happen again,” Dejesus remarked.
Six are being treated, the hospital confirms.
At 1:25 p.m., Stephanie Derzypolski, a spokesman for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, told the Tallahassee Democrat that the organization has now admitted six patients, one of whom is in critical condition and the others are in serious condition.
“The only Level II trauma center in the Big Bend region,” according to the hospital’s website. A trauma center classified as Level II is “required to have trauma surgeons on-call 24/7.”
Setting up a media staging area
1:22 p.m. – FSU authorities instructed students to remain in their shelters at 12:45 p.m., and Tallahassee police spokesperson Alicia Turner encouraged the campus community to continue doing so.
The Turnbull Center on Pensacola Street is hosting a media staging. In the middle of the day, there will be a media briefing.
Witnesses observed wounded pupils and heard gunfire.
1:12 p.m. Will Schatz, a senior at FSU, was with friends in the Strozier Library on campus at midday when he noticed runners. Leaving the rear of the library at the intersection of West Call and Dewey streets, he sprinted beside them.
“I could have sworn I saw a cop running after somebody and screaming something when we ran out,” he stated. “I heard seven or eight gunshots after I exited. I don’t know if the shooter fired or if the police shot the shooter.
Shortly after leaving the library, he called his mother to let her know what had happened and to let her know he was okay. Since then, he claimed to have witnessed four pupils being taken away in ambulances.
In custody is the suspect.
A Tallahassee police representative verified that one individual is in arrest at 1:05 p.m., but they were unable to confirm any fatalities. In contrast, there were “multiple injuries.”
US Marshals assisting with the FSU campus evacuation
Students gathering near West Call and Dewey streets were requested to evacuate by U.S. Marshals brandishing what looked to be automatic firearms at 12:58 p.m., as other students were still being taken from the campus’ student union.
The words “so many people in that building right now, so many to get out” were heard coming from a marshal.
Staff, students, and others gathered on campus.
Alicia Devine of the Democrat is on the FSU campus at 12:51 p.m.
Alicia Devine of the Democrat is on the FSU campus at 12:51 p.m.
‘Shelter in place’ alert is still in effect at FSU.
At 12:48 p.m., the alerts.fsu.edu website published the following message: “Remain indoors. The Student Union has received a report about an active shooter, and police have responded. Keep an eye out for additional details. Anyone in need of emergency assistance right now should contact FSUPD at 850-644-1234 or 911.
TMH releases a statement
12:44 p.m. “TMH is currently taking in and treating people in connection with an event that happened at Florida State University. We don’t currently have any specific information to share because the details are still being worked out. Nonetheless, we would want to reassure the community that our teams are ready and fully organized to offer the best possible care and assistance to everyone impacted.
“We continue to work closely with public safety agencies and emergency responders. We will give updates as soon as they become available to protect patient privacy and guarantee accurate information. We kindly request your understanding and patience at this trying period.
Four were admitted to the hospital.
At 12:42 p.m., WCTV reports that four injured individuals have been transported to Tallahassee Memorial. A hospital representative stated, “I have not been able to confirm that number just yet,”
Public schools in the area were locked down.
12:37 p.m. Chris Petley, a spokesman for Leon County Schools, stated that as of 12:15 p.m., all Leon County schools are under lockdown.
A helicopter over the campus
12:28 p.m. — According to LCSO spokesperson Javonni Hampton, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office has dispatched a helicopter to fly above the school. The campus was crowded with first responders, including state troopers, firefighters, and other law enforcement organizations.
According to a reporter, ambulances were spotted leaving in the direction of Tallahassee Memorial, which includes a trauma center, and traveling to FSU.
The first post
There have been reports of an active shooter near Student Union. Continue to seek cover and wait for more instructions; police are either on the site or on their way. The text message notice says, “Be ready to take extra precautions and lock and avoid all windows and doors.”
When the Tallahassee Democrat tried to contact FSUPD, they were informed that all lines were in use. Additionally, the Tallahassee Police Department was contacted, and spokeswoman Lt. Damon Miller advised the public to “call FSUPD.”
On Thursday morning, sirens sounded across downtown Tallahassee.
A reporter was informed by a Bellamy Building staffer that the building was under lockdown and that law enforcement was evacuating residents one floor at a time. The same individual claimed to have heard gunfire coming from within the structure. In the same building, yet another individual reported hearing what sounded like semi-automatic shooting.
