Two people have died and six others are injured following a shooting at Florida State University on Thursday, April 17. The suspected gunman has been identified as Phoenix Ikner, a student at the university and the stepson of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, Jessica Ikner. The 20-year-old has been linked to multiple weapons including a handgun, which was previously his stepmother’s service weapon, while being taken into custody.
“Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene,” Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil said at a news conference. “We are continuing that investigation into how that weapon was used and what other weapons perhaps he may have had access to.” McNeil added that “it’s not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons” because Ikner participated in training programs and was “steeped in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office family.”
Ikner’s biological mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen, reportedly took him to Norway in 2015 without notifying his father, which violated their custody order, per People. Eriksen later pleaded no contest to charges of removing a minor from the state without consent. At the time, Ikner went by Christian Gunnar Eriksen. Concerns were raised while Eriksen held him outside of the country under the guise of a spring break trip due to health concerns including ADHD and a growth hormone disorder.
Ikner allegedly opened fire on campus just before noon, striking multiple people and killing two. According to CNN, law enforcement recovered a shotgun from the FSU student union, while the handgun was found on the suspect’s person, and an additional gun was found in his car.
Injured victims are currently being treated at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. Inker has also been hospitalized. He was struck by law enforcement after reportedly failing to “comply with commands” and declined to speak to police when being taken into custody. FSU Chief of Police Jason Trumbower stated that the two individuals who were killed in the attack were not FSU students.
“We’re absolutely heartbroken by the violence that occurred on our campus earlier today,” FSU President Richard McCullough said. “Our hearts go out to our students and the victims of this terrible tragedy. I have to say that our law enforcement, our FSU police officers — absolute heroes in this regard.”
This article was update on April 18 at 4:15 p.m. EST to include information about Phoenix Ikner’s biological mother and clarify his relationship to Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy, Jessica Ikner.