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The recent tragic shooting at Florida State University (FSU), which resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to five others, involved a 20-year-old suspect named Phoenix Ikner. During a confrontation with campus police on April 17, Ikner was shot in the jaw in an effort to prevent further casualties, according to law enforcement officials.
As of Thursday morning, the suspect remained hospitalized with significant injuries but was anticipated to recover. Authorities indicated that his release will depend on his medical progress and will be determined by healthcare professionals.
Following his release, police planned to provide updates on Ikner’s case and any formal charges that may be brought against him. The Florida State Attorney’s Office will lead the determination of charges, which could range up to first-degree murder, although specifics have yet to be confirmed.
Details of the Incident
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the shooting began shortly before noon on April 17, with Ikner allegedly firing at multiple individuals on FSU’s main campus. Tragically, this act resulted in the deaths of Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old vendor, and Robert Morales, a 57-year-old employee of university dining services. Additionally, five other individuals were struck by gunfire, while a sixth person sustained injuries while fleeing the scene but was not shot.
All wounded victims were transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where they received treatment and were reported to be in stable condition. The injured included Madison Askins, a 23-year-old graduate student at FSU. By Tuesday, all five gunshot victims had been discharged from the hospital.
Authorities have identified the suspect as a current FSU student and the stepson of Jessica Ikner, a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement has confirmed that the firearm used in the incident was a former service weapon belonging to Jessica Ikner, although details regarding how the suspect acquired the weapon have not been disclosed. Jessica Ikner has been with the sheriff’s office for 18 years and has a background that includes serving as a school resource deputy.
A Look into the Suspect’s Background
Court documents indicate that Ikner was embroiled in a lengthy custody battle involving his biological parents, Anne-Mari Eriksen and Christopher Ikner, from 2007 to 2023. Jessica Ikner, the deputy and stepmother of the suspect, married Christopher Ikner in 2010. Historical records also show that legal disputes involving the family included a prominent custody violation case in 2015, where Anne-Mari Eriksen took her son to Norway under false pretenses regarding a spring break trip.
During the custody dispute, authorities noted that the suspect had developmental delays and special needs, requiring medication for various health and psychological issues. Although several personal accounts and interactions with the suspect were provided, these claims remain unverified.
Some FSU students described Ikner’s prior involvement in a political club at another college, where he was reportedly asked to leave due to expressing white supremacist sentiments that made members uncomfortable. Others who attended school with him noted that he appeared to lead a fairly normal life, although they refrained from speculating on his motives for the violence.
One student recounted their experiences riding the same school bus as Ikner in middle school, while another shared a yearbook photo that identified Ikner under the name “Christian Eriksen.”
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