:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(748x317:750x319)/Leon-County-Sheriff-Jessica-Ikner-Phoenix-Ikner-041725-7c60378a830b42f8907b52be8bd83338.jpg?w=1500&resize=1500,1000&ssl=1 "Shooting at Florida State?")
The shooting at Florida State University on April 17, 2025, marked a devastating chapter in the institution’s history, sending shockwaves through the Tallahassee community and reigniting national debates on gun violence, campus safety, and extremism. This tragic event unfolded in broad daylight at the heart of the campus, transforming a bustling student union into a scene of chaos and terror. As details emerged, the shooting at Florida State revealed not just the immediate horror but also deeper societal issues, including the perpetrator’s radical ideologies and the ease of access to firearms. In the months following, investigations and legal proceedings have shed light on the motives and aftermath, while the university and survivors grapple with healing and prevention.
The incident began around 11:57 a.m. EDT, when 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a student at Florida State University (FSU), arrived at the Student Union Building armed with a shotgun and a Glock handgun. According to eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage, Ikner parked his vehicle nearby and quickly advanced toward the union, firing indiscriminately. The shooting at Florida State started outside, where he wounded two students lounging on the lawn. He then entered the building, pursuing and fatally shooting Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old Aramark vendor from Greenville, South Carolina, who was working on campus. Moments later, Ikner targeted a group near the bookstore, injuring three more individuals non-fatally.
Re-entering the union, Ikner continued his rampage, fatally shooting Robert Morales, a 57-year-old campus dining director from Miami-Dade County, during a staff meeting. Morales, known for his dedication to student services and his role as a high school football coach, was struck twice in the back. The entire ordeal lasted mere minutes, with Ikner exiting the building at 12:00 p.m., chasing another student while reloading calmly. Police responded swiftly; at 12:00:27 p.m., officers shot Ikner in the jaw after he failed to comply and continued firing. He was subdued without further casualties from law enforcement.
The toll of the shooting at Florida State was heartbreaking: two fatalities—Chabba and Morales, both non-students—and seven injuries, six from gunfire and one from fleeing the scene. The injured included a 23-year-old graduate student and others, all of whom were treated at nearby hospitals and expected to recover physically, though the psychological scars remain profound. A particularly viral moment from the chaos was a video showing a bystander casually sipping Starbucks coffee while walking past a wounded victim, which sparked widespread outrage online about desensitization to violence.
Ikner’s background provides chilling context to the shooting at Florida State. Born Christian Gunnar Eriksen in 2004, he changed his name in 2020 amid a tumultuous family history. Raised in a blended family—his stepmother was a Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputy—Ikner faced developmental delays, ADHD, and a growth hormone disorder. His childhood was marred by a bitter custody battle, including a 2015 incident where his biological mother allegedly kidnapped him to Norway, leading to her arrest. Despite these challenges, Ikner graduated from Lincoln High School in 2022 and attended Tallahassee State College before transferring to FSU.
However, Ikner’s online presence and affiliations painted a darker picture. He held white supremacist and far-right views, admiring Adolf Hitler, using Nazi-related aliases, and supporting Donald Trump’s agenda. He was expelled from a political group at his previous college for homophobic and extremist rhetoric. Investigators found no direct ties between Ikner and his victims, suggesting the attack was ideologically driven rather than personal. The weapons used—a malfunctioning shotgun and his stepmother’s former service Glock—raised questions about firearm access, especially given his family ties to law enforcement.
In the immediate aftermath, FSU issued active shooter alerts, locking down the campus until 3:00 p.m. Classes were canceled through April 18, with athletic events halted until April 20. Nearby institutions like Florida A&M University and Tallahassee State College also took precautions. A makeshift memorial with crosses for the victims sprang up near the union, and a vigil at Doak Campbell Stadium on April 18 drew thousands in mourning and solidarity. The FSU Foundation launched a Student Emergency Fund to support affected families, highlighting the community’s resilience.
Nationally, the shooting at Florida State elicited responses from high-profile figures. President Donald Trump called it “horrible,” while Governor Ron DeSantis ordered flags at half-mast and emphasized prayers for first responders. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and FBI Director Kash Patel offered support and condolences. Survivors of the 2018 Parkland shooting, including David Hogg and Fred Guttenberg, connected the dots to ongoing gun violence, noting that some Parkland alumni at FSU experienced trauma anew. The Miami Heat basketball team decried the incident and advocated for reform.
Legally, Ikner faced swift charges. Hospitalized initially, he was indicted on May 14, 2025, with two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder. Prosecutors announced intent to seek the death penalty by June 5. Due to conflicts—his stepmother’s law enforcement role—he was transferred to another facility. The trial, originally set earlier, has been postponed to October 19, 2026, allowing time for defense preparations and mental health evaluations. This delay has frustrated victims’ families, who seek justice amid ongoing debates over gun laws in Florida, where recent appellate rulings have muddled open-carry bans.
The shooting at Florida State has also spotlighted broader issues. It occurred in a state still healing from Parkland, prompting renewed calls for universal background checks, safe storage laws, and restrictions on assault weapons. Critics argue that “gun-free zones” like campuses are ineffective, while advocates point to Ikner’s access to firearms as evidence of systemic failures. The event’s ties to extremism have fueled discussions on monitoring online radicalization, especially among youth.
As FSU approaches the one-year anniversary, the campus has implemented enhanced security measures, including more patrols and mental health resources. Memorials honor Chabba and Morales, remembered for their service. Yet, the scars linger—students report heightened anxiety, and enrollment briefly dipped. The shooting at Florida State serves as a grim reminder of vulnerability in educational spaces, urging collective action to prevent future tragedies.
In reflecting on this event, it’s clear that the shooting at Florida State was not an isolated act but a confluence of personal turmoil, ideological poison, and societal lapses. Moving forward, honoring the victims means addressing these roots head-on, fostering safer communities through policy, awareness, and empathy.
FAQ
Q: What happened during the shooting at Florida State University? A: On April 17, 2025, Phoenix Ikner opened fire at the FSU Student Union, killing two people and injuring seven others before being shot and apprehended by police.
Q: Who was the perpetrator and what was his motive? A: The shooter was 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, who held white supremacist and far-right views. The motive appears ideological, with no personal connections to the victims.
Q: Who were the victims? A: The fatalities were Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old Aramark vendor, and Robert Morales, a 57-year-old campus dining director. The injured were mostly students, all expected to recover physically.
Q: What has been the legal outcome so far? A: Ikner was indicted on murder and attempted murder charges. Prosecutors seek the death penalty, and the trial is set for October 19, 2026.
Q: How has FSU responded? A: The university canceled classes, increased security, established a memorial and vigil, and created an emergency fund for affected students.
Links
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Florida_State_University_shooting
- Medium: https://lucy-m.medium.com/yet-another-rotten-maga-nut-takes-a-handful-of-young-lives-at-fsu-shooting-53c20a7c2b12
- Medium: https://medium.com/onn-ai/public-reacts-to-donald-trumps-response-to-fsu-shooting-2ffab629932d