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Police confirmed that two people were killed and six others were injured when a gunman opened fire on the Florida State University campus.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida State University community is mourning after a gunman opened fire on campus Thursday, killing two people and injuring six others.
The accused shooter was identified by police as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, an FSU student and son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy.
As investigators work to learn more about what led up to the deadly shooting, FSU President Richard McCullough is offering a message of solidarity.
FSU president issues statement on shooting
“Today, we experienced a tragic and senseless act of violence at the heart of our campus,” McCullough’s statement read, in part. “We are heartbroken. We are grieving with the families, friends, and loved ones of those who were lost. We are holding close those who are injured, and we are standing by everyone who is hurting.”
The FSU president went on to say that he’s been in “constant contact” with law enforcement since the shooting began and commended responding officers who “contained the threat and prevented even greater tragedy.”
McCullough said the university’s focus right now is taking care of victims and their families, students, faculty, staff and anyone who is “trying to make sense of what they experienced.”
He emphasized that FSU’s Counseling & Psychological Services team will be available at (850) 644-TALK (8255).
“There will be more updates in the days ahead, and more time to reflect and heal. But now, we mourn together. We lean on one another. And we remember who we are,” McCullough’s statement continued. “We are Florida State. We are family. And we stand together.”
You can read the FSU president’s full statement below.
‘How many students have to die…?’: FSU College Democrats
In a statement, the FSU College Democrats expressed their heartbreak for their fellow grieving students while calling for change from lawmakers.
“Today we ask- how close to home does it have to get for Tallahassee lawmakers before they make meaningful to change? How many students have to die, just miles from the offices of the Republican supermajority before they do something other than utter hollow prayers? This comes mere days after this same legislature attempted a bill to allow firearms on college campuses,” the student group’s statement read, in part.
The FSU Democrats claimed that the campus was “deeply unprepared” for the shooting, leading to failed emergency protocols.
“As the situation unfolds, we are sensitive to those grieving in our student body and their friends and families. For them, this is not a moment of politics but one of tragedy. It breaks our heart that this violence continues to plague Florida schools,” the group continued.
The statement concluded with the announcement of a vigil to mourn the lives lost to be held Saturday evening on campus.
You can read the FSU College Democrats’ full statement below.
