On April 17th, 2025, a tragic mass shooting occurred at Florida State University (FSU), resulting in two deaths and at least six injuries. The incident took place near the student union around 11:50 a.m. Witnesses and police reported that the shooter exited an orange Hummer and began firing at random. The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student. Police confirmed that Ikner was the stepson of a sheriff’s deputy, and he had gained access to one of her firearms, which he used in the attack.
Authorities discovered an AR-15 rifle in Ikner’s car and a shotgun near the student union. It remains unclear whether these weapons were involved in the shooting. Ikner is facing serious charges, including first-degree murder.
Family members of Ikner revealed that he had been struggling with emotional dysregulation, for which he was prescribed medication. However, they noted that he had stopped taking some of his medication, which could have contributed to the shooting. Ikner had also been diagnosed with growth hormone disorder and ADHD in the past.
Ikner’s upbringing was difficult. Starting at the age of two, his biological parents were involved in numerous legal battles over custody, child support, schooling, and healthcare. In addition, police discovered that Ikner had changed his name from Christian Gunnar Eriksen. While the reason for this change is unclear, it suggests that Ikner may have wanted to distance himself from his biological parents and past life.
The two victims killed in the shooting were both employees of the university. Tiru Chabba, 45, worked for FSU vendor Armarc Collegiate Hospitality and was a father of two. Robert Morales, 57, was a longtime Dining Coordinator at FSU and the special teams coach at Leon High School.
Six others were injured in the attack and taken to the hospital. Thankfully, all were in stable condition upon arrival. Three of the injured required surgery, but they are expected to recover. Two of the victims have already been released from the hospital, and the rest are expected to make a full recovery.
This heartbreaking event has left the FSU community shaken, and the investigation into the motives behind the shooting is ongoing.