TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — Tallahassee police recognized the suspect in Thursday’s shooting at Florida State University as Phoenix Ikner, the son of a neighborhood deputy.
In a day press convention, FSU police Chief Jason Trumbower mentioned the 20-year-old suspect was the gunman answerable for the deaths of two individuals on the college. Six different individuals had been additionally hospitalized.
“At roughly 11:50 a.m. Thursday, April 17, a gunman opened fireplace on the primary campus of Florida State College in Tallahassee, capturing a number of people within the neighborhood of the Pupil Union Constructing,” Trumbower mentioned. “FSU police responded instantly, engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter.”
In line with Tallahassee police Chief Lawrence Revell, officers challenged the alleged gunman. When the coed didn’t adjust to their instructions, the regulation enforcement officers shot him.
Phoenix Ikner was taken to a hospital after the capturing, the chief mentioned.
Who’s Phoenix Ikner?
Phoenix Ikner was believed to be a pupil on the college, in keeping with Trumbower.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil mentioned the 20-year-old was the son of one among his deputies.
“Deputy Ikner has been with the county sheriff’s workplace for over 18 years,” McNeil mentioned. “She has an incredible job that she’s accomplished. Her service to this group has been distinctive.”
In line with the sheriff, the suspect obtained entry to one among his mom’s weapons, which was discovered on the scene. He was additionally mentioned to have a shotgun with him, however it isn’t but identified whether or not he used it on any victims.
“We’re persevering with that investigation into how that weapon was used and what different weapons maybe he could have had entry to,” McNeil mentioned.
Revell mentioned the weapon in query was a gun the deputy used to make use of earlier than transitioning to a brand new service weapon.
“This was a handgun that that deputy used previous to them transitioning to a brand new handgun, and so it was her private handgun,” Revell mentioned.
Phoenix Ikner was additionally mentioned to be a “long-standing member” of the sheriff’s workplace’s Youth Advisory Council earlier than the capturing.
“He has been steeped within the Leon County Sheriff’s Workplace, household, engaged in quite a few coaching packages that we have,” McNeil mentioned. “So it is not a shock to us that he had entry to weapons.”
Revell mentioned Ikner’s motivation for the capturing shouldn’t be but identified, as he has refused to talk to police.
The FBI is requesting anybody who witnessed the capturing and posted about it on social media to add their tricks to www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.
