Two dead in FSU shooting after gunman opened fire: Live updates

By BETHAN SEXTON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 17:59 BST, 17 April 2025 | Updated: 21:58 BST, 17 April 2025

Two people were killed after a gunman opened fired at Florida State University on Thursday.

The president has been briefed following a shooting which left at least five people injured at Florida State University.

The bloodbath took place at the college’s Tallahassee campus on Thursday.

The president described the shooting as a ‘horrible thing’ and said more details would be shared in due course.

Chaos unfolded after gunfire erupted near the student union at around midday.

Terrified students were seen fleeing for their lives in chilling videos shared on social media. 

At least one person has been taken into custody, CNN reports.

FSU suspected shooter identified

The suspected gunman has been identified as Phoenix Ikner, 20, the son of a current sheriff’s deputy who had access to one of her weapons.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said the suspect was a member of the sheriff’s office citizen advisory or Youth Advisory Council, and it is not a surprise that he had access to a weapon.

‘Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene,’ McNeil said.

‘We are continuing that investigation into how that weapon was used and what other weapons perhaps he may have had access to.’

Two people killed in FSU shooting

Two people were killed in the Florida State University shooting, police confirmed

FSU Chief of Police Jason Trumbower said the deceased, who were not named, were not students at the school.

Florida State University President addresses shooting

Florida State University President Richard McCullough called today’s violence a ‘tragic day’ for the campus community.

‘We’re absolutely heartbroken by the violence that occurred on our campus earlier today,’ he said.

‘Our hearts go out to our students and the victims of this of this terrible tragedy. I have to say that our law enforcement, our FSU police officers — absolute heroes in this regard.’

McCullough said he visited the victims at the hospital and will work to support everyone impacted by the shooting.

Suspect is among six hospital, sources say

The suspect in a shooting at Florida State University is among the six people hospitalized, CNN reports.

Police sources told the outlet the suspect was shot.

It was previously reported that one person had been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.

Parkland shooting survivors caught up in FSU bloodbath

The father of a teenager killed in the Parkland mass shooting has revealed that some of his late daughters’ friends are caught up in the violence at FSU.

Fred Guttenberg took to X to express his sorrow that the students have now been involved in ‘their second school shooting’.

Guttenberg’s daughter Jaime was among the 17 pepole killed by gunman Nicholas Cruz when he opened fire at Marjorie-Douglas High School in 2018.

‘America is broken,’ Guttenberg wrote. ‘My daughter Jaime was murdered in the Parkland school shooting.

‘Many of her friends who were lucky enough to survive that shooting went on to attend FSU.

‘Incredibly, some of them were just a part of their 2nd school shooting and some were in the student union today.

‘As a father, all I ever wanted after the Parkland shooting was to help our children be safe.

‘Sadly, because of the many people who refuse to do the right things about reducing gun violence, I am not surprised by what happened today.’

Suspect in FSU shooting was shot, police sources say

The suspect in a shooting at Florida State University was shot, CNN reports.

Police sources told the outlet it is unclear who opened fire on the individual.

It was previously reported that one person had been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.

Student describes split second decision after hearing gunshots at FSU

An FSU student has described the terrifying moment she was forced to choose between barricading herself in her classroom or fleeing after a shooting broke out on campus.

‘It just didn’t feel real,’ Arenado told CBS News Miami. ‘I was really just scared for [a classmate’s] safety and mine too.’

She recounted how a classmate got an alert on her phone and told the rest of the class.

‘My teacher immediately started barricading the door… and then another student said she’d rather go home, so we all just kind of ran to our cars.

‘I’ve had a lot of drills. But because of how big the school is… I really was scared this was something serious.’

Police to give update at 4.30pm ET

Tallahassee Police are hoping to provide an update on the shooting at FSU this afternoon.

FSU threat has been ‘neutralized’, crime scene active

FSU officials said law enforcement had ‘neutralized the threat’ following a shooting on campus.

However, several areas are still out of bounds to student as they are still an active crime scene.

‘Please avoid the Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House and Carraway,’ an update read.

Staff and students are free to move elsewhere on the campus.

FSU students hide as police bang on doors

Only one shooter involved, police sources say

Police sources told CNN that only one shooter is believed to have been behind the bloodbath at Florida State University.

Previous reports by local media suggested that there were two suspects.

However three law enforcement officials confirmed to CNN that the chaos was the work of a lone gunman.

Several weapons linked to the suspect have already been recovered and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is tracing their serial numbers.

Florida House Speaker calls FSU shooting, ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’

FSU home to 45,000 students

FSU Tallahassee is a public college located in Florida’s state capital and sits on the Sunshine State’s panhandle.

It has around 45,000 students, with movie star Burt Reynolds and The Doors singer Jim Morrison among its famous alumni.

The college was founded in 1851 and is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida.

The main Tallahassee campus sits across 485.7 acres.

At least one person reportedly dead, six injured following FSU shooting

At least one person has been killed and six people left hospitalized following a deadly shooting at FSU, NBC News reports.

All six patients were rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds, a spokesperson for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare told CNN.

At least one victim is in critical condition, while the others were described as in a serious condition.

A local media outlet previously reported the death toll as five citing police sources, however they have since revised this down to one.

Officials said the number of fatalities and casualties is subject to change pending the investigation.

FSU athletics events cancelled through Sunday

Student describes narrowly missing shooter’s bullets

FSU student Max Jenkins described the chaotic moment a shooter emerged and began spraying bullets in his direction.

‘He saw the maintenance guy who was waving everybody and turned and shot that way towards our direction,’ he told the Tallahassee Democrat’s Alicia Devine.

He explained that the worker was shielded by a golf cart which blocked the bullet

‘Then after that he turned this way and started shooting out on the green,’ Jenkins added. ‘He shot like two in our direction.’

He said he saw a girl shot and then stretchered off who appeared to be alive.

‘I hope she is,’ he added.

Vehicle and weapons belonging to suspect seized

A car believed to belong to the suspect has been discovered by police, CNN reports.

The vehicle contained a weapon which police have removed.

Several firearms, including a shotgun and pistol have reportedly been seized by police, and one suspect was arrested with a weapon on them, police told the outlet.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis offers ‘prayers’ for FSU

Emotions running high at FSU following shooting

Map shows location of FSU shooting

Terrified FSU students evacuated with their hands up

President reacts to shooting at FSU: ‘It’s a horrible thing’

President Trump shared that he has been briefed on the fatal shooting at FSU.

The president called the bloodbath on in Tallahassee a ‘shame’ and a ‘horrible thing’.

‘We’ll have more to say about it later,’ Trump added.

Eerie photos show abandoned belongings on FSU campus

Student shares video showing evacuation at FSU

FBI on the scene of FSU shooting

Haunting echoes of FSU shooting 11 years ago

Thursday’s FSU shooting is not the first time such horror has unfolded on the campus.

In 2014, three people were injured after Myron May opened fire on the campus.

The mentally ill lawyer was later shot dead.

At least six people injured following FSU shooting

At least six people have been hospitalized following a shooting at FSU.

One patient is in a critical condition, while the other five are described as in a serious condition.

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare spokesperson Stephanie Derzypolski confirmed the hospital has received all the patients.

No deaths have been confirmed so far.

FSU students wait for news following shooting

FSU student shares terror amid reported shooting

Emily Palmer, 21, told CNN she was near the student union when she became aware of a ‘dangeorus situation’ unfolding.

She has since retreated to the safety of her student housing.

‘I’m shaking … It’s just a lot going on,’ she said. ‘I’m concerned about my friends.

‘I have friends in class right who are getting evacuated by police with their hands up.’

Suspect in custody following FSU shooting

A suspect has been detained and is in custody following reports of a shooting at Florida State University, CNN reports.

The outlet said tha law enforcement sources had confirmed the arrest.

Classes cancelled as FSU remains on lockdown

Armed police seen storming campus

Four people hospitalized so far

At least four people have been hospitalized following reports of a shooting at the FSU campus.

The individuals were transported to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, a spokesperson for the hospital told NBC.

No further details on their conditions were given.

People seen fleeing amid reports of active shooter

Active shooter reported on FSU campus

A shelter in place order was issued for an active shooter at Florida State University just after midday Thursday.

The shooting reportedly took place near the student union.

Terrified students were seen fleeing the area shortly after the warning was issued.

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Two dead in FSU shooting after gunman opened fire: Live updates

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