A Florida State University student opened fire at the Tallahassee campus on April 17, 2025, killing two people and injuring six others. When police approached 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, he allegedly failed to comply with demands, and officers shot him to de-escalate the situation. Emergency responders took him to an area hospital for treatment. During the investigation, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office determined that Ikner is the son of Deputy Jessica Ikner, who has served the sheriff’s office for more than 18 years. Ikner allegedly used his mother’s weapon in the shooting.
During a press conference following the shooting, Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil said Jessica Ikner is a valued member of the sheriff’s department who has done a “tremendous job” during her tenure.
“Her service to this community has been exceptional,” McNeil said. “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 shooting rocked the FSU campus, leaving students, staff, and families in pain. Several students shared stories with Fox News Digital following the terrifying ordeal.
FSU senior William Schatz said he was in the library preparing for a presentation when the shooting occurred.
“Some people stayed in the library…but my instinct was, I see people running, I’m gonna run with them,” he said, per the news outlet.
Ben Veytsman told Fox News Digital he was leaving a therapy appointment when he heard the popping sounds of gunfire.
“I was walking home and then this one guy was like chasing another guy,” he said. “It looked like but they’re both just like running … and I thought they had an altercation between themselves.”
Veytsman added, “And then the guy in front was like, ‘Yo, there’s some school shooting. Everyone get inside,’ because we were right near the library. And then I could tell he wasn’t joking. And then that’s when me and a bunch of neighboring students just like start running in.”
The student admitted the entire situation didn’t feel real.
FSU President Richard McCullough released a statement that reads 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.
“Right now, our focus is on taking care of people. That means the victims and their families. It means students, faculty, and staff who were nearby and are now trying to make sense of what they experienced,” he added. “It means every person in our campus community is feeling shaken or overwhelmed. We are working closely with our leadership, law enforcement, and mental health professionals to ensure that everyone has the support they need. If you’re struggling, please reach out to our Counseling & Psychological Services team at (850) 644-TALK (8255). You are not alone.”
Phoenix Ikner had a troubled childhood, according to court documents obtained by the New York Post. His biological mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen, kidnapped him in March 2015, and the pair fled to Norway. At the time, he went by his birth name, Christian Gunnar Eriksen. The mother and son have US and Norwegian citizenship. The boy’s father, Christopher Ikner, learned his son was out of the country during a phone conversation.
Ikner feared for his son’s safety, claiming he had “developmental delays and special needs” and needed access to his doctors.
Eventually, Eriksen returned to Florida in July 2015, and police arrested her for illegally removing Phoenix Ikner from Florida. Erikson sued Christopher Ikner, Jessica Ikner, and two other relatives in October 2015 for slander and libel.
“The emotional and psychological harm done to the minor child will be evident for years, and will require counseling, and given the child being the age of 11, will have memory impacted by the behaviors of all the defendants for the false claims done on his mother, and for the parental alienation of the close relationship of the minor child,” the suit stated, according to the Post.
A judge dismissed the case seven months later.
FSU canceled classes on April 18, and the campus remains an active crime scene.
