Videos show chaotic scene, heavy police presence at FSU amid reports of active shooter on campus

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Videos showing a chaotic scene at Florida State University began circulating on social media Thursday afternoon following reports of an active shooter on campus.

The shooting, reported in the student union known as Oglesby Union, sparked chaos at the university, prompting a call from officials for people to shelter in place.

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The Department of Transportation’s live traffic camera feed showed a heavy law enforcement presence near and on campus, and several streets blocked off.

Officials said two people were killed and six others were injured in the shooting Thursday afternoon. Police said the two people who died were not students.

Police said Phoenix Ikner, 20, was a current FSU student and opened fire near the student union. Ikner was shot by responding law enforcement and taken to a local hospital, officials said.

Ikner was also identified as the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputy, according to officials.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said the mother of the shooter had been with the agency for over 18 years and her “service to this community has been exceptional.”

“Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene,” McNeil said.

According to an update from FSU at 1:04 p.m., law enforcement was “actively clearing rooms on the main campus.”

A video posted on the social media platform X shows dozens of students exiting the campus with their hands above their heads.

The shooting was first reported by the school’s alert system at 12:02 p.m.

“Police are on the way. People are asked to seek shelter and await further instructions. Lock and stay away from all doors and windows and be prepared to take additional protective measures,” the alert read.

News4JAX obtained pictures from a student barricaded inside a classroom waiting to be escorted out by law enforcement. She said she was about half a mile from where it happened.

Hundreds of students streamed away from the direction of the student union. Students were glued to their phones, some visibly emotional, while others hugged each other. Dozens gathered near the music school, waiting for news.

Ryan Cedergren, a 21-year-old communications student, said he and about 30 others hid in the bowling alley in the lower level of the student union after seeing students running from a nearby bar.

“In that moment, it was survival,” he said.

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A video shared with News4JAX showed people running across a street near the student union.

FSU said that all classes and university events have been canceled through Friday.

All athletic events have been canceled through Sunday, April 20. The canceled events include three baseball and three softball games.