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The suspect who opened fire at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, Florida, on Thursday, killing two and injuring six others, was identified by law enforcement officials as the 20-year-old son of a sheriff’s deputy.
Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil identified Phoenix Ikner as the shooter, saying, “It’s not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons.”
His mother, Jessica Ikner, is a sheriff’s deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. She has been with the office for over 18 years and McNeil said she has done a “tremendous job” in her position. During the course of her career, authorities said she served as a school resource officer.
McNeil said Phoenix Ikner used his mother’s handgun in the shooting at FSU.

Florida State University students and faculty members wait in a grassy area near the student union where the shooting happened. (Ana Ceballos/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via 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 his rights not to speak with authorities.
“This event is tragic…but I will tell you this: We will make sure that we do everything we can to prosecute and make sure that we send a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County, and I dare say across the state and across this nation.”
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Curto contributed this report.