FSU Shooter Identified as Deputy’s Son; Disturbing Social Media Post Surfaces Before Tragedy
The gunman behind Thursday’s deadly mass shooting at Florida State University has been identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner.
Authorities confirmed that Ikner used a firearm stolen from his mother to carry out the rampage, which left two people dead and six others injured on the Tallahassee campus.
“He had access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons found at the scene,” officials stated during a press briefing.
In a chilling twist, a disturbing message posted by Ikner on social media shortly before the attack has now come to light. The post reads:
“You are my war club, my weapons for battle, with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms.”
The cryptic quote is taken from the Book of Jeremiah in the Bible, often associated with themes of divine judgment and destruction.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the motives behind the shooting and any possible warning signs leading up to the attack.
In addition, he had lately made fun of college students who were demonstrating against the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
FSU Shooter Identified as Deputy’s Son: Chilling Post, Mockery of Protesters, and Campus Chaos Unfold
The Florida State University community was rocked by tragedy on Thursday afternoon after a gunman opened fire on campus, leaving two people dead and six others hospitalized. The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a political science major and the son of Deputy Jessica Ikner of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Gun Stolen from Mother, Formerly Used in Law Enforcement
Authorities revealed that Ikner used a privately-owned handgun that once belonged to his mother and had been her duty weapon. “Deputies are allowed to purchase the handgun they used prior,” explained Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell, noting that this particular firearm had once been used for official duties.
‘Steeped in Law Enforcement’—Yet Now the Face of Campus Terror
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed that Ikner had once participated in the department’s youth training initiatives, stating that the shooter was “steeped in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office family.”
Despite these ties, Ikner turned on his community in a horrifying act of violence. He was reportedly injured in the shootout and is currently hospitalized in custody. Multiple firearms, including a shotgun and a pistol, were recovered at the scene.
Disturbing Social Media and Political Views Emerge
In the days leading up to the shooting, Ikner had been active online, sharing alarming content. One haunting message, quoting scripture from the Book of Jeremiah, read:
“You are my war club, my weapons for battle, with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms.”
He also mocked fellow students who protested the 2024 presidential election results, calling them “entertaining, but not for good reasons.” In a school magazine, he remarked:
“I think it’s a little too late—[Trump] is 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.”
Moments of Terror Captured Across Campus
As gunfire erupted near the Student Union, chaos quickly spread. Witnesses reported “automatic gunfire,” while others posted footage of students fleeing, hiding behind desks, or crawling across classroom floors. One viral video showed terrified students lying motionless as someone banged on a locked door, shouting, “Open up!”
Images of personal belongings—food, backpacks, picnic blankets—abandoned on campus lawns captured the sudden panic that swept the university.
A witness told WFTV they saw a man flee the Student Union with a weapon, while another reported seeing police chasing the shooter just before a volley of shots rang out.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office acted swiftly, locking down the area and searching building by building to ensure safety. A grey vehicle containing a weapon, believed to be connected to the shooting, was also seized.
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare confirmed that all six hospitalized victims were in serious condition, with one listed as critical. The FBI has now joined the investigation, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statement, offering prayers to the FSU community.
Classes Canceled, Crime Scene Active
All classes and university programs were canceled for the day. FSU urged students to avoid the Student Union area, which remains an active crime scene. Officials emphasized that students should not attempt to retrieve personal items from the area.
Nearby public schools were also briefly locked down as a precaution, and law enforcement deployed a helicopter for aerial surveillance of the campus.
A Tragic Echo of the Past
Thursday’s attack tragically echoed a previous shooting at FSU in November 2014, when an alumnus opened fire in the Strozier Library, injuring two students and a staff member before being killed by police.
President Trump Briefed as Nation Reacts
In the wake of the tragedy, President Trump announced that he had received a “complete briefing” on the situation, underscoring the gravity of the incident and the national concern it has sparked.
Florida State University, located in the state capital of Tallahassee, sits in the heart of the Sunshine State’s panhandle. As one of the largest public universities in Florida, it serves a student population of nearly 45,000. Now, its vibrant campus is reeling from one of the most violent days in its recent history.
As the investigation continues, the FSU community—and the nation—are left searching for answers in the aftermath of yet another senseless act of violence.