In the aftermath of a deadly shooting at Florida State University on Thursday, a clearer picture of the alleged gunman has emerged. The incident, which occurred near the campus's Student Union, resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and left six others injured, as confirmed by officials during a recent press conference.
According to reports, first responders engaged the suspect on campus, leading to his hospitalization. The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, who is notably the son of a local sheriff's deputy. Law enforcement officials stated that he was taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries.
During the press conference, Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil disclosed that Phoenix Ikner had access to one of his mother's personal weapons, which was recovered at the shooting scene. At the time of the incident, he was armed with both a handgun and a shotgun.
Sheriff McNeil praised Deputy Jessica Ikner, Phoenix's mother, for her over 18 years of dedicated service to the Leon County community. He described her service as exceptional, emphasizing the challenges faced by law enforcement families. McNeil revealed that Phoenix had been actively involved with the Leon County Sheriff's Office's Youth Advisory Council, further illustrating his deep ties to the law enforcement community.
The motive behind this tragic shooting remains under investigation. Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police highlighted the extensive and rapid response from law enforcement to the shooting, stating, "We are working multiple crime scenes, and there are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of witnesses." He also mentioned that the suspect did not comply with officers' commands before he was shot, but added that he does not believe Ikner fired at the police.
This situation is still developing, and authorities are continuing to gather information. For the latest updates on this tragic incident, please check back regularly as the investigation unfolds.
