Mass Shooting Occurs at Florida State University

Photo credits: ABC News

Author’s note:

Gun violence has been a prevalent issue in the United States for years. Specifically, school shootings have risen in commonality over the past decade, leading to violent attacks and murder across the nation. While many citizens may believe that this issue is unlikely to happen around them, numerous cases highlight how violence may be caused by those they least expect. The recent Florida State University mass shooting demonstrated this. The suspect was a member of the sheriff's office’s youth advisory council and the son of a police officer. Despite these circumstances, he opened fire, killing many. Thus, constant vigilance and precautions must be taken to ensure safety at school and other public areas.

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It was lunchtime at Florida State University. Having finished their morning classes, the students lounged around the student union building under the bright April sun. The weather was cheerful, birds chirped gleefully, and the students felt at peace.

Then, violence erupted so quickly that many could not grasp what had happened. Shots fired. Shouts sounded. Students panicked. Running in every direction, faculty members and students sped as quickly as possible to escape the firing bullets. Peace had been broken, and lives would be lost.

This disastrous calamity was the result of a son of a police officer opening fire with a former service weapon near the student union building of Florida State University. Around lunchtime, the alleged shooter, 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, began shooting, killing two and injuring six.

Police sent out a warning to those at FSU around midday, saying to “seek shelter and await further instructions.” 

One student stated, “One of my classmates got an alert on her phone and announced it to the rest of the class," while another said he heard around 12 shots fired and said, “I thought it was construction at first, until I looked behind me and saw people running from the union towards my direction, and then I heard another 12 or 15 shots go off, so I started running away from there too.”

According to Sheriff Walt McNeil, Ikner is the son of a veteran Leon County police officer who is a “model employee” and kept the gun after the police force upgraded its weapons. As the suspect was engaged in numerous training programs, “it is not a surprise that he had access to weapons.”

Ikner was shot by the police and taken to a nearby hospital. His motive for his actions remains unclear. The identities of those killed have not been released, but it is known that they were not students. Fortunately, the six wounded patients were reported to be in fair condition. Ikner is among the six after refusing to comply with commands.

Addressing this incident, FSU freshman Maya Cabal stated, "I just think that this happens way too much in America," Cabal said. "We need to do something about it. It just can't keep happening. Like, no one should just think that they're going to school in a normal day, then ... their lives are in danger because there are not enough regulations in place.”

Ikner invoked his right not to speak once he was taken into custody and is likely to face charges of first-degree murder, among other charges, once he is released from the hospital. He had been suffering from emotional dysregulation and often spoke about beliefs that his classmates felt were too extreme, such as stating that Rosa Parks was in the wrong, defending Nazi symbols, and disparaging Black Lives Matter protestors.

Ultimately, these cases have become all too common. At kindergartens and universities alike, students in the United States must face the constant fear of a potential shooting, even from a fellow student. Schools must consider increasing security precautions and encourage constant vigilance, as complete safety is never truly guaranteed.

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Jurisview Journal is a student-led blog that publishes biweekly articles about interesting criminal cases. Our aim is to shed light on cases that require justice or further exploration and provide input on controversial legal events. We also publish infographics to help victims or those who wish to educate themselves on legal issues. 

Works Cited

Asiedu, Kwasi Gyamfi. “Florida State University: Police say student used stepmum's gun in campus shooting.” BBC, 18 April 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgq7l32r98o. Accessed 20 April 2025.

Prindiville, Tara. “Florida State shooting: 2 dead, sheriff's deputy's son in custody.” NBC News, 18 April 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/florida-state-university-active-shooter-rcna201756. Accessed 20 April 2025.

Tolan, Casey, et al. “What we know about the Florida State University shooting suspect.” CNN, 19 April 2025, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/17/us/florida-state-university-shooting-phoenix-ikner-invs/index.html. Accessed 20 April 2025.