On Thursday, the suspect who opened fire in Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, Florida, killed two and hurting another six, was identified by the officials responsible for enforcing the law as the 20 -year -old son of a sheriff.
Leon’s County Sheriff, Walter McNeil, identified Phoenix Ikner as the shooter, saying: “It is not a surprise for us to have access to weapons.”
His mother, Jessica Ikner, is a deputy of the Sheriff with the Leon County Sheriff’s office. She has been in the office for about 18 years and McNeil said she has done a “tremendous work” in her position. Duration The course of his career, the authorities said he served as an school resource officer.
McNeil said Phoenix Ikner used his mother’s gun at the FSU shooting.
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The students of the Florida State University expect news after an active shooter incident on the school campus in Tallahassee on Thursday, April 17. (AP/Kate Payne)
“Unfortunately, his son had access to one of his weapons and that was one of the weapons that was found in the scene. And we continued that research on how that weapon was used,” McNeil said.
Phoenix Ikner was appointed at the Leon County Sheriff’s office as a member of the 2021-2022 Youth Council on August 17, 2021, which was established in 2020 to provide a line of communication between Leon County Youth and the application of local law, McNeil said.
Jessica Ikner, the mother of the suspect, has served the Office of the Sheriff of Leon County for 18 years. (Leon County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the Sheriff’s office, the Council plays a role in the advice of the Sheriff, but also approaches other adolescents in the county to inform them, about existing opportunities. They also develop skills in promotion, leadership and team development while completing community service hours. Ultimately, the members of the Youth Advisory Council use the skills to help them find ways to address the problems that affect the county.
McNeill described Phoenix Ikner as a long -standing member of the Citizens Advisor Council of the Leon County Sheriff’s office, which has been “immersed” in the family of the Sheriff’s office and dedicated himself to several training programs offered by the office.
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Work application work on the Florida State University Campus (FSU) after a massive shooting in Tallahassee, Florida, USA., April 17, 2025. (Alicia Devine/USA Today Network through IMAGN images through Reuters)
Around 11:50 am on Thursday, Phoenix Ikner allegedly opened fire on the main campus of FSU, shooting several people near the Student Union building.
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The evacuees observe the application work of the law on the campus of the State University of Florida (FSU) after a massive shooting in Tallahassee, Florida, on April 17, 2025. (Alicia Devine/USA Today Network through IMAGN images through Reuters)
When the officers arrived, they immediately hired the shooter before shooting and attaching, police said.
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Students and members of the Florida State University wait in a grass covered area near the students’ union, where the shooting occurred. (Ana Ceballos/Miami Herald/Tribune news service through Getty Images)
Police said two people, who are not students, were killed, and six others were transported to a local hospital with gunshot wounds.
Phoenix Ikner was also transported to a local hospital, police said.
Police said Phoenix Ikner invoked their rights not to speak with the authorities.
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“This event is tragic … but I will tell you this: we will make sure that we do our best to process and make sure to send a message to the people who will never be tolerated here in Leon County, and I make the nation.”