FSU Shooting Suspect Identified as Stepson of Sheriff's Deputy

Brody Carter : Apr 18, 2025
CBN News

"FSU responded immediately – engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter." -FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower.

(Tallahassee, Florida) — [CBN News] Florida State University students turned out in person and online for an impromptu memorial service last night after a shooter killed two and injured six on Thursday, before being captured. (Screengrab image: via CBN News)

Authorities say 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a current FSU student, opened fire near the Student Union around noon Thursday.

Witnesses reported chaos as students scrambled for safety. "I heard the sirens, I saw the police going, I saw people running like crazy," said Zoey, an FSU student.

Police say Ikner initially attempted to use a shotgun, which jammed, before switching to a handgun. He allegedly killed two people and wounded six others before being shot by officers and taken into custody. He remains hospitalized in stable condition.

"FSU responded immediately—engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter," said FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower.

Officials say the handgun used in the attack was legally owned by Ikner's stepmother, a 20-year veteran of the Leon County Sheriff's Office.

A motive has not yet been released. However, investigators noted that Ikner was previously involved in a youth law enforcement program and had a history of mental health treatment, according to court records.

President Donald Trump, when asked about the shooting and broader questions on gun control, responded, "...It's a shame, it's a horrible thing ... horrible that things like this take place ... The gun doesn't do the shooting, people do..."

Ikner is expected to face multiple felony charges and will appear in court once medically cleared. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Brody Carter has been reporting and anchoring at CBN since 2021.