(NewsNation) — The gunman accused of killing two and injuring six at Florida State University allegedly used his mom’s former service weapon — she’s a sheriff’s deputy — however authorized specialists say it is too early to know if she’s going to face fees.
“I feel it should rely upon what the mom knew, how a lot she knew, whether or not or not she knew he was harmful, the place precisely that weapon was left,” former Choose Elizabeth Scherer, who presided over the Parkland High School shooting trial in 2022, informed Nexstar’s NewsNation on Thursday.
Police recognized the shooter as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner.
“Sadly, her son had entry to certainly one of her weapons, and that was one of many weapons that was discovered on the scene,” Sheriff Walter McNeil of Leon County stated throughout a press convention.
Although not widespread, mother and father of faculty shooters have been charged previously, most notably Jennifer and James Crumbley, whose 15-year-old son killed 4 college students and injured seven others at a Michigan highschool in 2021.
Scherer stated the truth that Ikner was an grownup may make this case totally different so far as the mother and father’ potential legal responsibility.
“As a mum or dad, you are accountable for your little one, and you’ve got a much bigger duty to participate and defend the group out of your kid’s conduct,” Scherer stated.
Authorized analyst Misty Marris agreed with that time.
“Definitely may very well be a authorized challenge for the mom, however the factor is you may have an grownup,” Marris informed NewsNation. “We would be having a approach totally different dialog when you had somebody who was 15 or 16 years outdated.”
Police are nonetheless within the early phases of the investigation and haven’t stated how Ikner acquired the weapon.
Investigators say Ikner opened hearth round lunchtime on the faculty’s pupil union, killing two males and wounding not less than six others.
Officers rapidly arrived and shot and wounded the shooter after he refused to adjust to instructions, stated Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell.
Authorities haven’t but revealed a motive for the capturing.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
