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The stepson of a longtime sheriff's deputy has been identified as the suspect in a mass shooting at Florida State University that left two people dead and six others injured.
The 20-year-old suspect, identified as Phoenix Ikner, was apprehended shortly after the incident happened around noon Thursday, April 17, at one of the busiest places on campus, in the area of the student union, prompting a shelter-in-place alert. Ikner was shot by responding officers.
His condition has not been released, but police say he declined to speak to detectives at the hospital, invoking his right to remain silent.
In a late afternoon news conference, Tallahassee Police said Ikner's mother has worked with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years. Police say he had access to his stepmother's service weapon, and the handgun was used in the shooting.
The suspect's stepmother also was employed as a school resource officer who graduated from Florida State, where her Phoenix Ikner was a student majoring in political science.
Authorities said the suspect was "steeped in the Leon County Sheriff's family," was on the sheriff's youth advisory council, and attended numerous department training programs.
Three guns were discovered on campus: a handgun found on the suspect, another in the suspect's vehicle, and a shotgun in the student union, according to CNN.
Around 1 p.m., Florida State issued a new update on social media. It said: "Continue to shelter in place. Police have responded to an active shooter call at the Student Union. Stay alert for more information."
The announcement noted that, "All classes and university events including athletic events scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2025, have been cancelled. Individuals not already on the main campus at this time should avoid coming to the Tallahassee main campus."
Florida State has an enrollment of over 43,000 students.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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