2 dead, 6 injured at Florida State University shooting; gunman identified as son of Florida deputy
2 dead, 6 injured at Florida State University shooting; gunman identified as son of Florida deputy
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NOW. TONIGHT WE NOW KNOW THE NAMES OF BOTH VICTIMS WHO DIED FROM THURSDAY’S MASS SHOOTING AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY. TERRY SILVA WORKED FOR A VENDOR ON CAMPUS AND IS FROM GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND ROBERT MORALES WORKED AS THE UNIVERSITY’S DINING COORDINATOR. HE IS FROM SOUTH FLORIDA. NOW WE ARE ALSO LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE SUSPECT, 20 YEAR OLD PHOENIX EICHNER, WHO IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A STUDENT AT FSU. COURT DOCUMENTS FROM 2015 SHOW HE WAS TREATED FOR MULTIPLE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES AS A CHILD. THE DOCUMENTS ALSO SHOW HE WAS AT THE CENTER OF A YEARS LONG CUSTODY BATTLE THAT LED TO HIS ABDUCTION TO NORWAY BY HIS MOTHER. THEY WERE EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO THE U.S. AND HIS MOTHER WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED. SHE FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST EICHNER’S FATHER AND STEPMOTHER, CLAIMING PARENTAL ALIENATION AND THAT EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM DONE TO EICHNER WOULD BE EVIDENT FOR YEARS AND WOULD REQUIRE COUNSELING. POLICE SAY EICHNER USED ONE OF HIS STEPMOTHER’S GUNS TO CARRY OUT THE SHOOTING. WESH TWO STEWART MOORE HAS BEEN IN TALLAHASSEE FOR US AND ATTENDED A VIGIL TODAY FOR THE VICTIMS. HE ALSO SPOKE WITH A FRIEND OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS AND AN FSU STUDENT WHO SURVIVED THE PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING. WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VICTIMS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THURSDAY’S SHOOTING. TIM RUTH WAS A VENDOR FOR THE DINING SERVICES AREA. A FATHER OF TWO SHOT AND KILLED ON SITE IN THE STUDENT UNION. WE ALSO LEARNED ABOUT ROBERT MORALES. HE WAS A DINING SERVICES DIRECTOR. NOW, WE SPOKE TO ONE OF HIS FRIENDS OF 30 YEARS. HE SAYS THEY WENT TO FLORIDA STATE TOGETHER. HE WAS ABLE TO FOUND THE GORDO’S RESTAURANT THAT YOU’VE SEEN ACROSS TALLAHASSEE. HE SAYS HE DIDN’T SOUL THAT WENT BACK TO HIS ALMA MATER TOOK OVER THE DINING SERVICES. HE ACTUALLY WANTED TO BE BACK ON CAMPUS AFTER SUFFERING FROM SOME HEALTH ISSUES. INSTEAD OF TAKING TIME OFF. HE WANTED TO BE AROUND STUDENTS. THE PERSON THAT WE SPOKE TO SAYS HE’S KNOWN HIM SO LONG, THEY WENT TO EACH OTHER’S WEDDINGS AND THEY TRAVELED TOGETHER, AND HE’S HEARTBROKEN BY WHAT HAPPENED. ROBERT IS WAS VERY KIND HEARTED, SMART SOUL, A LOVING, LOVING, LOVING MAN AND FRIEND. A TRUE FRIEND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WOULD HANG UP ON CALLS, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, SAYING, I LOVE YOU, BUDDY. HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE FAMILY STARTED A GOFUNDME, BUT THEY REALLY DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GO NEXT. THIS WAS SUCH AN UNEXPECTED TRAGEDY THAT THEY’RE DEALING WITH. BUT HE IS INSPIRED BY THE FACT THAT HIM, FRIENDS AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND THEM, THE GREATER TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY IS LEANING ON THE FAMILY, GIVING THEM WHATEVER THEY MAY NEED IN THIS TIME OF GRIEF. MEANWHILE, WE ALSO SPOKE TO A STUDENT WHO WAS ACTUALLY A STUDENT AT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS THERE THE YEAR AFTER THE SHOOTING, BUT AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL RIGHT NEXT DOOR, WHEN 17 PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND KILLED. SHE SAYS SHE REMEMBERS GETTING THE ALERTS INTO HER PHONE THAT AN ACTIVE SHOOTER WAS NEARBY BACK THEN, AND WHEN SHE GOT THE SHOOTING ALERT YESTERDAY, SHE SAYS THAT IT BROUGHT BACK A BAD MEMORY. I THINK THE FIRST THING THAT WENT THROUGH MY MIND WAS JUST THERE’S NO WAY, LIKE JUST DENIAL LIKE THAT. THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN. IT WAS WEIRD BECAUSE I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME AROUND THAT I WAS TEXTING PEOPLE, MAKING SURE THEY WERE OKAY, MAKING SURE THEY WERE SAFE, THEY WERE ALIVE, AND THEN JUST HAVING TO DO THAT AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME WAS SURREAL. ALEXIS SAYS THAT SHE’LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR GUN LEGISLATION, WHETHER IT BE AT THE STATE CAPITOL OR NATIONALLY, BUT SHE’LL CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEXT SHOOTING IS PREVENTED. AND OF COURSE, BACK HERE ON CAMPUS, THE VIGIL THAT WRAPPED UP EARLIER HAD THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. WE HEARD FROM THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT. WE ALSO HEARD FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY, ALL OFFERING THEIR CONDOLENCES AND OFFERING THIS TIME AS A WAY TO REFLECT, BUT ALSO TO COME TOGETHER. REPORTING IN TALLAHASSEE, STEWART MOORE WESH TWO NEWS. ALSO ON CAMPUS TODAY, THE GROUP STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION HELD A SEPARATE VIGIL HONORING THE LIVES OF THOSE IMPACTED BY THE SHOOTING. LET’S WALK YOU THROUGH A TIMELINE OF EVENTS SURROUNDING THE SHOOTING. TALLAHASSEE POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT, PHOENIX EICHNER, GOT TO CAMPUS PARKING GARAGE AROUND 11 YESTERDAY MORNING. HE STAYED IN THE AREA FOR AN HOUR, MOVING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR AROUND 1151, DETECTIVES SAY EICHNER LEFT THE GARAGE AROUND 1156. THEY SAY HE FIRED THE FIRST SHOT. THEY SAY EICHNER WALKED IN AND OUT OF BUILDINGS AND GREEN SPACES, FIRING A HANDGUN. TWO MINUTES LATER, MULTIPLE 911 CALLS REPORT THE SHOOTER AT THE SAME TIME AS NEARBY OFFICERS ARE RESPONDING. BY NOON, FOUR MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST SHOT, OFFICERS SHOT EICHNER AND ARRESTED HIM. NOW, STUDENTS WERE ALLOWED BACK TO THE STUDENT UNION TODAY TO GET THEIR BELONGINGS. OFFICIALS PUT STUDENTS INTO GROUPS AND ESCORTED THEM INTO THE BUILDING. ONE GIRL RETURNED TO GET HER STUFF, INCLUDING HER SHOES THAT FELL OFF WHILE RUNNING FROM THE GUNFIRE. STARTED TO SEE EVERYONE RUNNING FROM ALL THESE DIRECTIONS, AND THEN I JUST RAN OFF THAT WAY, FELT MY SHOES COME OFF, DIDN’T CARE, JUST KEPT RUNNING THAT WA
A 20-year-old student opened fire at Florida State University on Thursday, killing two people and injuring at least six others, according to police. Officials said the suspect was apprehended and is believed to be Phoenix Ikner, the son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy. They said the weapon used was his mother's previously used department-issued weapon.Ikner was also armed with a shotgun, though authorities have not confirmed whether it was used to injure anyone. Florida State University Police Chief Jason Trumbower said the shooting began shortly before noon outside the Student Union building. He said FSU police responded "immediately," and neutralized the shooter before taking him into custody. Ikner was then taken to the hospital, and officials said he invoked his right not to speak to law enforcement. Trumbower specified that the people killed in the incident were not students or members of law enforcement. Walt McNeil, Leon County sheriff, called the shooting a "heinous crime," and added that the alleged gunman's deputy mother has been with the sheriff's department for more than 18 years."Her service to this community has been exceptional. Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons," he said.McNeil said that Ikner, the alleged shooter, was a longstanding member of the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) Youth Advisory Council, and it is "not a surprise" that he had access to weapons."We will do everything we can to prosecute and send a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County," McNeil said.Florida State University President Richard McCullough said he was "heartbroken" by the shooting."We are working to support the victims and families and everyone affected by this traumatic event," McCullough said.McCullough praised FSU police, calling them heroes for quickly neutralizing the suspect. He also thanked local medical professionals for their work in treating the victims. Watch the full news conferenceOfficials said the Student Union and the surrounding area is still considered an active crime scene. The area should be avoided, and students should not return to retrieve personal property.All classes and business operations are canceled through Friday, April 18. A vigil is being on FSU campus beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday. Related: What we know about the shooting at Florida State University About the victimsThe Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare treated the Florida State victims who were wounded during the shooting on Thursday.Hospital staff members provided an update during a news conference on Friday.They said six patients were brought in with injuries but were all in stable condition upon arrival.Three of those patients went through the operating room and have since come out.Hospital officials said they were prepared and trained to treat patients during situations like these.They said all six patients are expected to make a full recovery and are in good spirits.The types of injuries included:Facial injuries Chest injuriesAbdominal injuriesInformation regarding the victims' identities and ages was not disclosed.Watch full news conference below:Officials reactIn a statement, the White House said they are monitoring the incident and confirmed that President Donald Trump is aware of the shooting."The President has been briefed on the shooting at Florida State University and the White House is actively monitoring the situation," Karoline Leavitt wrote. Multiple government officials have also expressed their thoughts on the shooting through social media."Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding," Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on X. U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody wrote, "My office has already been in contact with school leadership about the tragic reporting on FSU’s campus. I am praying for the safety of the students, faculty and all first responders involved."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —
A 20-year-old student opened fire at Florida State University on Thursday, killing two people and injuring at least six others, according to police.
Officials said the suspect was apprehended and is believed to be Phoenix Ikner, the son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy. They said the weapon used was his mother's previously used department-issued weapon.
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Ikner was also armed with a shotgun, though authorities have not confirmed whether it was used to injure anyone.
Florida State University Police Chief Jason Trumbower said the shooting began shortly before noon outside the Student Union building.
He said FSU police responded "immediately," and neutralized the shooter before taking him into custody. Ikner was then taken to the hospital, and officials said he invoked his right not to speak to law enforcement.
Trumbower specified that the people killed in the incident were not students or members of law enforcement.
Walt McNeil, Leon County sheriff, called the shooting a "heinous crime," and added that the alleged gunman's deputy mother has been with the sheriff's department for more than 18 years.
"Her service to this community has been exceptional. Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons," he said.
McNeil said that Ikner, the alleged shooter, was a longstanding member of the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) Youth Advisory Council, and it is "not a surprise" that he had access to weapons.
"We will do everything we can to prosecute and send a message to folks that this will never be tolerated here in Leon County," McNeil said.
Florida State University President Richard McCullough said he was "heartbroken" by the shooting.
"We are working to support the victims and families and everyone affected by this traumatic event," McCullough said.
McCullough praised FSU police, calling them heroes for quickly neutralizing the suspect. He also thanked local medical professionals for their work in treating the victims.
Watch the full news conference
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Officials said the Student Union and the surrounding area is still considered an active crime scene. The area should be avoided, and students should not return to retrieve personal property.
All classes and business operations are canceled through Friday, April 18.
A vigil is being on FSU campus beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday.
The Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare treated the Florida State victims who were wounded during the shooting on Thursday.
Hospital staff members provided an update during a news conference on Friday.
They said six patients were brought in with injuries but were all in stable condition upon arrival.
Three of those patients went through the operating room and have since come out.
Hospital officials said they were prepared and trained to treat patients during situations like these.
They said all six patients are expected to make a full recovery and are in good spirits.
The types of injuries included:
Facial injuries
Chest injuries
Abdominal injuries
Information regarding the victims' identities and ages was not disclosed.
Watch full news conference below:
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Officials react
In a statement, the White House said they are monitoring the incident and confirmed that President Donald Trump is aware of the shooting.
"The President has been briefed on the shooting at Florida State University and the White House is actively monitoring the situation," Karoline Leavitt wrote.
Multiple government officials have also expressed their thoughts on the shooting through social media.
"Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding," Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on X.
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Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding. https://t.co/gT4mDwWsGC
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody wrote, "My office has already been in contact with school leadership about the tragic reporting on FSU’s campus. I am praying for the safety of the students, faculty and all first responders involved."
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
My office has already been in contact with school leadership about the tragic reporting on FSU’s campus. I am praying for the safety of the students, faculty and all first responders involved.