More details are emerging Friday about Florida State University shooting suspect Phoenix Ikner as law enforcement are trying to piece together what motivated the 20-year-old student to allegedly open fire at his school, killing two and wounding six. 

Ikner was shot and wounded by responding officers Thursday afternoon after he refused to comply with commands, according to Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. Police also said his mother is a sheriff’s deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and that they believe Ikner shot the victims using his mother’s former service handgun, which she had kept for personal use after the force upgraded to new weapons. 

Months before the shooting, Ikner was quoted in an FSU student newspaper article about anti-Trump protests at the school and was identified as a political science major, according to WFLA. 

“These people are usually pretty entertaining, usually not for good reasons. I think it’s a little too late, he’s [Trump] already going to be inaugurated on Jan. 20 and there’s not really much you can do unless you outright revolt, and I don’t think anyone wants that,” Ikner was quoted by the station as saying. 

Law enforcement officers worked at Florida State University following the shooting on Thursday, April 17. (Alicia Devine/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images via REUTERS)

The suspect’s mother, Jessica Ikner, has been an officer for over 18 years and authorities said she has done a “tremendous job” in her position. 

“Her service to this community has been exceptional,” McNeil said at a press conference. “Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene. And we are continuing that investigation into how that weapon was used.” 

The two people who were killed were not FSU students, according to authorities, who believe that the suspect acted alone. 

FSU has canceled all classes through Friday and said athletic events in Tallahassee were canceled through the weekend. 

Evacuees watch police respond to the shooting at FSU. (Alicia Devine/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images via REUTERS)

University President Richard McCullough issued a statement on X, calling Thursday’s shooting “a tragic and senseless act of violence.” 

Fox News’ Rachel Wolf, Preston Mizell, David Spunt, Andrea Margolis, Ashley Papa, Pilar Arias and The Associated Press contributed to this report.