Police identify alleged FSU shooter as stepson of sheriff’s deputy

• Police identified Florida State University student Phoenix Ikner as the alleged gunman in Thursday’s campus shooting that killed two and injured six. Officers reportedly shot and arrested Phoenix Ikner, who remains in stable condition.
• Authorities claimed Phoenix Ikner used his stepmother’s personal firearm and carried a second weapon formerly issued to her as a deputy.
• Investigators continue to review the suspect’s past, including his ties to law enforcement and political activity.

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Authorities identified the suspected gunman in the Thursday, April 17, shooting at Florida State University as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a political science major and current student at the school. Police accused Phoenix Ikner of killing two people and injuring six others on FSU’s Tallahassee campus.

Phoenix Ikner is the stepson of Leon County sheriff’s deputy Jessica Ikner and a former member of the department’s Youth Advisory Council, which fosters communication between law enforcement and local students.

Law enforcement officials said Phoenix Ikner allegedly used his stepmother’s personal handgun in the shooting. Investigators also recovered a shotgun at the scene. Police said the weapon had previously served as Jessica Ikner’s official sidearm but was now privately owned.

Officers shot and wounded Phoenix Ikner after police said he allegedly ignored commands to surrender. The suspected gunman invoked his right to remain silent after officers arrested him, and doctors later listed him in stable condition.

What happened during the campus shooting?

The shooting began around 11:50 a.m. near the Student Union on FSU’s Tallahassee campus, according to authorities. Police claimed Phoenix Ikner opened fire, reportedly killing two people and injuring six others. The victims who died were not students at the university, according to police. Medical staff said all hospitalized individuals remained in fair condition.

In response to the shooting, Florida State University canceled all classes and events on Friday, April 18, and suspended sporting activities through the weekend. Witnesses described scenes of panic, with students running for cover and one instructor barricading a classroom door using a piano, according to local news reports.

The suspect’s background?

Phoenix Ikner’s involvement with local law enforcement reportedly began in high school, where he served on the sheriff’s Youth Advisory Council during the 2021–2022 academic year. Officials described him as a longtime participant in community engagement programs.

Students interviewed by CNN said Phoenix Ikner was asked to leave a political club due to behavior that made others uncomfortable. One member recalled that his comments often went “beyond conservatism,” and said several students stopped attending before the group asked him to leave.

Public records showed Phoenix Ikner had a complex family history. In 2015, his biological mother took him to Norway in violation of a custody agreement. At the time, court documents referred to him as Christian Eriksen. According to law enforcement sources, he later changed his name to Phoenix Ikner.

Florida voter registration records listed him as a registered Republican. In a January article published by the FSU student newspaper and cited by CNN, Phoenix Ikner commented on anti-Trump protests, saying opposition efforts were “too late” and unlikely to stop the inauguration.

What are the reactions and next steps?

The attack has raised questions about access to firearms and the suspect’s relationship with law enforcement. Sheriff Walter McNeil told reporters that given Phoenix Ikner’s history with the department and participation in training programs, it was “not a surprise” that he had access to weapons.

University and state officials have expressed condolences and pledged support for affected families. According to CBS, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for the Second Amendment, saying the tragedy reflected individual actions rather than a failure of gun policy.

Local and federal authorities continue their investigation. No motive has been publicly identified.