TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Tragedy struck Florida State University on April 17 when a gunman opened fire near the campus student union, killing two people and wounding six others in a horrifying midday attack that left students scrambling for cover and the campus on lockdown.

The shooter, identified by police as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a political science major at FSU and the son of a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, began shooting around 11:50 a.m., according to Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. Campus police responded within minutes and shot Ikner after he failed to comply with their commands. He was transported to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and taken into custody.

Two non-students were killed on site, and five of the six injured sustained gunshot wounds. One person was hurt while fleeing the scene.

Weapons Belonged to Deputy Mother

The handgun used in the shooting was once the service weapon of Ikner’s mother, a school resource deputy at Raa Middle School in Tallahassee. Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed the weapon had become her personal firearm after being replaced by a newer model. Investigators also found a shotgun, though it’s unclear if it was used.

McNeil noted that Ikner had longstanding ties to the sheriff’s office, having participated in youth programs and trainings. “It’s not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons,” McNeil said. His mother, whose name has not been released, has served the agency for over 18 years.

Eyewitnesses Recall Chaos and Fear

Students across campus reported moments of confusion and terror as the attack unfolded.

• Paige Miller, who was in a restroom near the student union, called 911 and barricaded the door after hearing what sounded like gunshots. “Suddenly three girls come running in, one of them crying,” she said.

• Andrew Cheyne, hiding in the student union’s basement, was with 30 to 40 others locked in the billiard hall. “I leaned on my Christian faith but was still frightened.”

• Students Sam Swartz and Sean Gulledg used trash cans and plywood to block hallways. “Everyone started freaking out,” Swartz said.

FSU Locks Down Campus, Cancels Events

In response, FSU canceled all classes and events through April 18 and shut down several buildings, including the Student Union, Bellamy, and Rovetta. Athletics events are canceled through Sunday. The area remains an active crime scene as the investigation continues.

The FBI’s Jacksonville field office is assisting local authorities.

Presidential Response

President Donald Trump, briefed on the incident, expressed condolences but reaffirmed his support for the Second Amendment. “The gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do,” Trump said.

Campus Remembers 2014, 2018 Tragedies

This marks another dark chapter for FSU, which faced a similar tragedy in 2014 when a gunman opened fire at Strozier Library, injuring three. The university also remembered Maura Binkley, a student killed in a 2018 Tallahassee yoga studio shooting. An event honoring her and promoting campus safety, scheduled for April 17, was canceled due to this latest tragedy.

Where to Report Info

FSU urged those with relevant information to contact police at 850-891-4987.

As the community grieves and searches for answers, the university and law enforcement are working to ensure accountability, transparency, and healing.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) joined Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell and Representative Dotie Joseph at a press conference to address concerns over potential Medicaid cuts proposed by House Republicans and their impact on Florida families, according to press release by Congressman Frost.

Critical Medicaid Support for Floridians

Florida is one of ten states that has yet to expand Medicaid to leverage federal funding, which would help low-income Floridians afford healthcare. Currently, nearly 4 million Floridians rely on Medicaid for medical services.

The latest Senate-approved spending bill calls for $2 trillion in spending cuts by 2034. The bill directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to reduce costs by at least $880 billion, with Medicaid being the largest budget component under the committee’s control. Given that Medicare is protected from cuts, Medicaid faces a significant risk.

Congressman Frost’s Strong Rebuke

“The question I’m here to ask is if you support cuts to Medicaid, do you not realize that you’re supporting cuts to the Florida budget?” said Congressman Frost. “That’s how this works. We give federal dollars to the state of Florida so they can provide healthcare to people that need it—children, pregnant people, and seniors. If you’re cheering on cutting Medicaid, you’re cheering on losing money to help Floridians. In the wealthiest country on this Earth, everyone deserves access to quality healthcare.”

Calls for Medicaid Expansion

“Right now in the state of Florida, the total uninsured population is over 2.4 million, and if we were to expand Medicaid, 1.5 million Floridians would gain coverage,” said Representative Dotie Joseph, who has introduced legislation advocating for Medicaid expansion. “It’s a no-brainer. Why should we do it? It saves money and saves lives. This simple policy decision would bring tremendous financial relief for everyday people.”

Fentrice Driskell Defends Medicaid’s Purpose

“Medicaid is a program we’ve all paid into,” said Leader Fentrice Driskell. “It’s intended to be a safety net to provide for those who can’t afford essential, life-saving services. It’s the contract we all agreed to as Americans. This nation of amazing success and prosperity will ensure that our sick, disabled, and elderly aren’t left to suffer.”

Driskell emphasized the urgent need to protect Medicaid and continue funding healthcare for millions of Floridians.

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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Florida lawmakers are moving forward with several bills formerly sponsored by the late Senator Geraldine Thompson, ensuring her legislative efforts continue to shape the state’s future.

Senator Arrington (District 25) is now the sponsor of SB 208/HB 33, previously led by Senator Thompson. This bill, known as “An Agreement Among the States to Elect the National Popular Vote,” proposes allocating Florida’s electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote. The bill seeks to shift away from the traditional Electoral College system, ensuring the candidate with the most votes nationwide becomes President. However, this change will only take effect once enough states possessing a majority of electoral votes join the agreement. SB 208 has been referred to the Ethics and Elections, Judiciary, and Rules committees.

Senator Smith (District 15) has taken up SB 1754/HB 1413, previously championed by Senator Thompson, which proposes the creation of the Florida Museum of History at the Town of Eatonville. The museum aims to showcase Florida’s diverse history, highlighting significant contributions from African American, Hispanic, and women’s communities. The project proposes a five-year $75 million budget in state appropriations with additional revenue from admission fees, events, and retail sales.

Senator Rodriguez (District 40) is sponsoring SB 246, another bill formerly led by Senator Thompson, designed to expand grandparents’ visitation rights. The bill allows grandparents to seek visitation with minor grandchildren under broader conditions than current law permits, such as when parents are divorced or if one parent is missing, deceased, or incapacitated. The bill is now under review by the Children, Families & Elder Affairs, Judiciary, and Rules committees.

In addition, Senator Osgood (District 32) is sponsoring two key business-related bills previously supported by Senator Thompson: SB 1614 and SB 1616. SB 1614 introduces a streamlined process for expedited business filings with the Florida Department of State, establishing structured fees for incorporation, reinstatement, and more. SB 1616 builds on this by outlining tiered fees for expedited filing services, ensuring faster business registration options. Both bills are interdependent, requiring joint passage to take effect.

Lastly, Senator Davis (District 5) is advancing SB 1582, an ambitious election reform bill originally sponsored by Senator Thompson. The bill proposes making the Secretary of State an elected position, implementing same-day voter registration, and ensuring language accessibility in elections. It also introduces the Florida Voting Rights Act, which aims to protect minority voters and provide clear guidance for individuals with felony convictions seeking voting eligibility.

With these efforts, Florida lawmakers are ensuring that Senator Geraldine Thompson’s dedication to justice, equality, and community advancement continues to impact the state for years to come.