Authorities have identified the shooter as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old son of a deputy sheriff in Leon County.
Two people died and at least five were injured this Thursday following a shooting on the main campus of Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, as confirmed by the local hospital Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare.
The alleged attacker, a student from the same university, was arrested and is also hospitalized after being shot.
Authorities identified the shooter as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old, son of an assistant sheriff in Leon County.
The chief of the Tallahassee Police, Lawrence Revell, stated at a press conference that the suspect invoked his right not to testify after being apprehended and has not cooperated with the investigations.
“The alleged attacker did not comply with the law enforcement demands before being neutralized. We do not believe that he fired at the officers,” Revell stated.
The situation has already been contained and the police assert that the campus is safe, although several areas are still considered active crime scenes, including the Student Union, where a shotgun was found.
The agents also recovered a gun in the possession of the suspect and found another weapon in his vehicle.
FSU announced the suspension of all classes and administrative activities until Friday, April 18, as investigations continue. Sporting events scheduled for the weekend have also been canceled.
The attack has shocked the university community and the entire state of Florida, especially when it was revealed that the shooter is the son of a police officer. So far, the motives that led him to open fire on campus have not been disclosed.
Local and federal authorities, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), are working to clarify the case. Tracing of the serial numbers of the weapons used has begun, while alerts remain in effect in the area.
Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump have been informed of the incident. The White House stated that it is monitoring the situation.