In a shocking turn of events, Florida State University is reeling after a mass shooting on campus that has left two dead and six injured. The alleged gunman, identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Iikner, is the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy, raising alarming questions about access to firearms within law enforcement families. The tragedy unfolded just before noon, sending students into a panic as gunfire erupted near the student union, a bustling area of the campus.

Authorities confirmed that two victims were 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed during the chaos, both of whom were not students at FSU. Six others sustained injuries, prompting a swift response from campus police, who confronted Iikner and subsequently shot him. He is currently hospitalized but is reported to be in stable condition. Eyewitnesses recounted a scene of terror, with students barricading themselves in classrooms while police issued urgent warnings to seek shelter.

The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, involved in piecing together the events of that fateful day. Police have revealed that Iikner had at least two firearms: a shotgun and a handgun registered to his mother, raising questions about the circumstances that enabled him to access these weapons. Leon County Sheriff’s office has vowed to ensure that justice is served and that such incidents are not tolerated in their community.

Classes at FSU have been canceled for the week, and multiple campus buildings remain closed as they are considered part of the crime scene. The atmosphere is one of fear and uncertainty as parents anxiously await updates on their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s safety. The community is left grappling with the horrifying reality of a shooting perpetrated by someone who was once a member of the sheriff’s youth advisory council, emphasizing the urgency for broader discussions about gun access and mental health in the wake of this tragedy.