On April 17, 2025, Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee was shaken by a deadly shooting that left two people dead and six others injured. The gunman, identified as 20-year-old political science student Phoenix Ikner, was shot and apprehended by police. Authorities say he used a retired service weapon that belonged to his stepmother, a sheriff’s deputy.
As the attack unfolded near the student union, chaos erupted across campus. Emergency alerts triggered lockdowns, and confusion was made worse by a flood of unverified information and rumors spreading quickly on social media. Students and faculty scrambled to find safety, with many unsure of what was happening in real time.
In the days following the tragedy, the FSU community has gathered for vigils and leaned on campus counseling services for support. While classes have resumed, the emotional wounds remain deep. University officials and law enforcement are investigating the shooter’s motives, though Ikner has refused to speak with authorities.
This is the third mass shooting at FSU in the last decade, renewing urgent conversations around gun control, campus safety, and mental health. As students and staff continue to process the trauma, there is a collective call for action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
