Talhasi, Fla. , Officials said two people were killed, and six others were injured, in a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) in Talhasi on Thursday, officials said.
The shooting began at around 11:50 pm during a press conference that afternoon, identifying the suspected shooter as 20 -year -old Phoenix Ekner, who was a student in school.
The iconer was taken to a hospital in an area after being “neutral” by the authorities. Police also said that her mother Leon County Sheriff is a Sheriff Deputy with Office, and said that Ekner used her mother’s weapon in the murder.
The suspect’s mother, Jessica Ekner, has been an officer for more than 18 years and officials said they have done “tremendous work” in their positions.
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Police said 20 -year -old Phoenix Ekner opened fire at Florida State University in Talhasi on Thursday. (Phoenix Ekner/Instagram)
“His service for this community has been exceptional,” Lyon County Sheriff Walt McNell said at the press conference. “Unfortunately, his son had access to one of his weapons and was a weapon found at the scene. And we are continuing the investigation of how that weapon was used.”
The suspect’s mother Jessica Ikner has served with the Leon County Sheriff Office for 18 years. (Leon County Sheriff Office)
According to officials, two people who were killed were not FSU students. The region is still considered an active crime site, and officials believe that the suspect worked alone.
“there is There is no more threat to our community at this point, “said Talhasi Police Chief Lawrence Rewell.
After a collective shooting in the Florida State University (FSU) campus on Evic Watch Law Enforcement Work, Talhasi, Florida, US, 17 April, 2025. (Through imagn images through Alicia Divine/USA Today Network)
Fox News Digital was at FSU on Thursday evening when a group of students committed a vigilance and murder for the injured during the attack.
Pictures suggest that many students are shown kneeling in the shooting scene, which is still covered with yellow tape as the authorities continue their extensive investigation.
In addition to many candles and heart -shaped balloons, dozens of flower bouquets were left in vigilance.
FSU student William Shutz spoke to Fox News Digital on Thursday night, which came to light during his stay in the library.
SChatz said he was preparing for a presentation with a group of fellow students, which was going to be at 1:20 pm
FSU Senior said, “Some people stayed in the library … but my instinct was, I am looking at people, I am going to run with them.”
SChatz also credited the first respondents to quickly control the situation.
The FBI was capable of sending agents from its Talhasi Field Office to the scene quickly, as they are located close to the FSU premises. The Tampa office of the ATF also confirmed that they were on the scene assisting law enforcement, and seeking information about FBI’s Jacksonville office shooting and asked for the public for tips.
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FSU has canceled all classes through Friday and said that athletic incidents in Talhasi were canceled over the weekend. FSU President Richard Macullah issued a statement on X, in which shooting was called “a tragic and insensitive work of violence”.
The President said, “There will be more updates to reflect and heal more time and more time in the coming days. But now, we mourn together,” the President said. “We bow down to each other. And we remember who we are. We are Florida states. We are families. And we stand together.”
A Sophomore Ben Wetsman, a Sophomore Ben Wetsman, who studied the management information systems at FSU, completed a therapy appointment on the campus when he heard the shots and was taken to him.
The Wetsman told Fox News Digital that therapy appointment was held at the Thagard Building of Campus near the Students Union. After leaving, he heard a popping noise while walking in the premises.
“I was going home and then this one man was like chasing another man,” a college student remembered. “It seemed like this, but both of them were walking … and I felt there was a dispute between them.
People relax each other on the campus of Florida State University in Talhasi, where law enforcement responded to an active shooter incident on Thursday, 17 April. (AP/Kate Payne)
“And then the boy in front was like this, ‘Yo, some school shooting. Everyone goes inside,” because we were near the library. And then I could tell that he was not joking.
Sofomore said that he took shelter in the Staff Lounge before going to the second place and finally, allowed to walk home.
“It didn’t seem real to me. It felt as if I was like applying a school shooter drill.”
FSU student Cole Summers, who was in the student union, spoke to Fox News Digital about his experience.
He said, “I was getting food in Panera and heard a group of girls saying something about a gun, when I heard the shots and immediately started running. I ran after the Sangh and as I was running, I heard more shots coming from the entrance of the Sangh,” he said.
Another student, Christopher Malve, told Fox News Digital that he was in the student union when the shooting started.
The meteorological student said, “Thank you for the Lord, I found the house safely.” “I am just trying to collect my thoughts in these last few hours.”
“I really believe that God has protected me today, and I am really just blessed, all things were considered, I am all one piece. My friends are safe, I am safe, and I am just considering all the super blessings.”
Sen Ashley Moody, R-Flow. Said that his office was in touch with FSU leadership about the situation.
“I am praying for the safety of students, faculty and all the first respondents,” Moody wrote.
A woman talks on her phone after the Florida State University (FSU) is vacant from the campus, which is after a collective shooting in Talhasi, Florida, US, April 17, 2025. (Through imagn images through Alicia Divine/USA Today Network)
Additionally, Sen Rick Scott, R-Fla., Said that he was praying for the safety of all of them in FSU and instructed the students to follow the instructions of the school officials.
President Donald Trump is informed on the situation and has made a brief comment in the Oval office. He said that it is “terrible that such things happen.”
“(FBI) is on the scene in the state of Florida and we are in communication with agents on the ground. Our priority is safety of all. We will keep updating because we learn more. Praying to everyone,” Attorney General Palm Bondi wrote.
A map of Florida State University showing the student union building
FBI Director Kash Patel said he was informed on the situation, and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that the bureau was on the spot in FSU.
Bongino wrote in a post on X, “FBI is on the scene in FSU. I am going back to DC from my LA office, but we are getting updates on the situation on the aircraft. We will update you because we learn more,” Bongino has written in a post on X.
Florida village. Ron Desantis, R-Fla., Wrote on the social media platform X, “Our prayers are with our FSU family and the state law enforcement is actively responding.”
Emergency vehicle near Florida State University is a report of a possible active shooter status report.
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The Talhasi campus of FSU sits on 485.7 acres and the university has a total of 403 buildings. According to the school website, the student body is more than 44,300 strong and the university has more than 16,000 employees.
