Son of Leon Co. deputy suspected in Florida State University shooting that killed 2, injured 6

FSU students after shooting. Image via AP.

The son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy stands accused of killing two people and injuring six others at a mass shooting at Florida State University.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil revealed the information about the shooter at a press conference held by the Tallahassee Police Department in the wake of the shooting.

“The shooter is 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, and he’s a son of a Leon County Sheriff deputy,” McNeil said. “Our deputy, Deputy Ikner, has been with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for over 18 years. She has a tremendous job that she’s done. Her service to this community has been exceptional. Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene.”

The Sheriff’s Office website identifies Jessica Ikner as a school resource officer based in the county.

The press conference took place at 4:30 p.m. Authorities confirmed the shooter’s name and said he was being treated for injuries.

Authorities said there were six victims besides the two killed. Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare has confirmed to The Associated Press that six people were being treated after the shooting, one in critical condition.

The identities of those killed in the shooting were not immediately released, and police released no information about other victims.

Florida State University Police Chief Jason Trumbower said those killed were not students.

“The two deceased are not students. The shooter is believed to be a permanent FSU student,” he said.

FSUNews.com previously quoted Phoenix Ikner, identified as a political science major, about his thoughts on campus protests about the ongoing military conflict in Gaza.

“These people (protesters) are usually pretty entertaining, usually not for good reasons,” Phoenix Ikner told the campus news outlet. “I think it’s a little too late, he’s (President Donald 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.”

Based on his social media messaging, Phoenix Ikner was a clear Trump supporter. Voter records show he was a registered Republican. His Instagram bio, which is no longer viewable, quotes scripture from the book of Jeremiah. The verse reads, “You are my war club, my weapon for battle; with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms.”

McNeil said the shooter was also a longtime member of the LCSO Youth Council.

“He has been steeped in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office family, engaged in a number of training programs that we have, so it’s not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons,” the Sheriff said. “This event is tragic in more ways than you people in the audience could ever fathom him from a law enforcement perspective. 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.”

Roughly four hours after the shooting was first reported, police announced the campus was secure. Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell told reporters that investigators believe Ikner was the sole shooter.

“We have no reason to believe at this point that he did not act alone. So there is no further threat to our community at this point in time,” he said.

Florida State University President Richard McCullough said all classes and activities on campus will be cancelled through the end of the week. The university will make any counseling and psychological services available to students, faculty and staff, who can call (850) 644-2005, ext. 2003.

“It’s a tragic day for Florida State University,” he said. “We’re absolutely heartbroken by the violence that occurred on our campus earlier today.”