FSU shooting: Main campus to resume classes, business operations on Monday | FOX 35 Orlando
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FSU shooting: Main campus to resume classes, business operations on Monday

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Published  April 19, 2025 11:24am EDT
FSU shooting: News & Updates
FOX 35 Orlando

The Brief

    • Florida State University (FSU) has announced its main campus will resume normal classes and business operations on Monday following the deadly shooting that killed two and injured six. However, alternative options will be offered to students who may not yet feel ready to return to the classroom. 
    • The shooting broke out around noon on Thursday near the FSU Student Union and was over in less than five minutes.
    • The alleged shooter — 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner — an FSU student and son of a Leon County Sheriff's Office deputy, was transported to the hospital after being shot by law enforcement.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State University (FSU) has announced its main campus will resume normal classes and business operations on Monday following the deadly shooting that killed two and injured six.

However, FSU officials said alternative options will be available. 

FSU main campus to resume normal operations

What we know:

On Saturday, FSU officials announced that classes and normal business operations would resume on Monday, April 21, at the FSU campus in Tallahassee.

However, on Sunday, FSU leaders said alternatives would be offered to students who may not yet be ready to return to campus. They also said all mandatory attendance policies that affect grades will be waived. 

"We understand this is a difficult time for everyone," FSU said in a prepared statement. "We have been working through a number of complex and challenging issues over the past few days. We appreciate your patience. We are now announcing new options for the end of the semester. We want everyone to receive the support and help they need. For some students, that may mean not going back into the classroom. For others, the idea of community and gathering, as well as the opportunity to focus on academics, may be beneficial. There is no single right answer for everyone."

FSU officials said students should contact their instructors if they need help with classwork or accommodations.

FSU leaders said a remote option is probable for many courses, but there will be classes where it might not make sense. They said information about any additional options for specific class sections will be provided by instructors by Monday evening.

Those who wish to have absences excused should contact instructors about how to complete any required coursework. Students who feel they cannot complete a course will have the option to request an incomplete grade.

Faculty and staff should contact their dean or supervisor if accommodation is needed, FSU leaders said. 

FSU shooting: Students mourn victims of deadly incident

Many students at Florida State University (FSU) are still trying to come to grips with Thursday's deadly shooting on campus. Classes have been canceled until Monday, but some students are still on campus and just attended a vigil for the victims. FOX 35's Marie Edinger shows us what happens next for the university and its students.

‘An entirely preventable tragedy’

What they're saying:

The FSU College Democrats spoke out against the return to campus in a press release on Saturday.

"We were given a week off when the university got a few inches of snow," FSU College Democrats President Madalyn Propst said. "Now, we’re expected to go back to class days after a mass shooting."

Propst said the school was not prepared for the event, the classroom buildings did not have locks and professors were never trained on how to respond to an active shooter situation.

"Thoughts and prayers will do nothing to bring back the two people lost," Propst said. "Thoughts and prayers will do nothing to heal the people fighting to recover at TMH right now. Thoughts and prayers will do nothing to make Florida State feel safe again."

The organization is asking FSU to take action after the shooting, including putting locks on the doors, providing training to all faculty and staff on active shooter response, and giving students more time to grieve. The FSU Democrats are also asking Congress to take steps to reinstate the office of gun violence prevention. 

The organization hosted an unofficial vigil for the victims of the shooting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday on campus.

Support services available for students

What you can do:

FSU officials said that students who need mental health support should reach out to the school's Counseling & Psychological Services team at (850) 644-TALK (8255). 

The Victim Advocate Program also provides free, confidential and compassionate assistance to FSU students. Those who wish to reach out can call 24/7 (850) 644-7161, text (850) 756-4320 or email Victims-Advocate@fsu.edu. 

Employees who need assistance should contact EAP at (850) 644-2288 for free, professional counseling services. 

Deadly mass school shooting

The backstory:

The Tallahassee Police Department said the shooting at FSU was over in less than five minutes, leaving two people dead, six people hurt, hundreds scrambling for safety, and the alleged suspect being challenged, shot and taken into custody.

Everything we know about the FSU Shooting

FOX 35's John Brown and Garrett Wymer break down everything we know about the FSU shooting, from the history of suspect Phoenix Ikner, the latest timeline of law enforcement's response and Tallahassee Police Chief's remarks this morning on LiveNOW from FOX, continuing efforts to learn more about the victims of the shooting and the vigil set up by the FSU community.

Here's a look at the official timeline released by the police:

  • 11 a.m.: Suspect, Phoenix Ikner, arrives at an FSU parking garage. He stays there for about an hour, moving in and out of his vehicle.
  • 11:51 a.m.: Ikner leaves the parking garage.
  • 11:56 a.m. & 11:57 a.m.: First shot is fired. Ikner walks in and out of buildings and green spaces, firing a handgun.
  • 11:58 a.m.: Multiple 911 calls report a man shooting on campus.
  • Noon: Ikner is shot by law enforcement and taken into custody.

FSU issued its first emergency alert about a reported active shooter near the Student Union at 12:02 p.m., according to the timestamp on X.

Around 3 p.m., police said the campus had been secured and officers were continuing to clear each room.

At 4:30 p.m., officials held a press conference and confirmed the initial details about the shooting, including causalities, injuries and the suspect's identity.

FSU shooting update: Full press conference

Officials hosted a press conference on Thursday afternoon to give updates following the Florida State University (FSU) shooting. Deputies said two people were killed and six others hurt and taken to the hospital during the shooting. Police said the alleged gunman has been identified and is believed to be a current FSU student, as well as the son of a local sheriff's office deputy.

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The Source: This story was written based on information gathered from previous reporting, as well as information shared on the Florida State University (FSU) Alert page and in an FSU College Democrats press release on April 19, 2025.

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