Tallahassee, Florida – Two people were killed and six others injured in a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday, authorities said.
Filming began at about 11:50am at a press conference late that afternoon, with authorities identifying the suspected shooter as 20-year-old Phoenix Echner, a student at the school.
Ichner was “neutralized” by the authorities before being taken to a community hospital. Police also said his mother was a sheriff’s aide in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and that Ichner used his mother’s weapon in the murder.
The suspect’s mother, Jessica Eekner, has been an officer for over 18 years, and authorities say she has done “a tremendous job” in her position.
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Phoenix Echner, 20, fired fire at Florida State University in Tallahassee on Thursday, police said. (Phoenix Ikner/Instagram)
“Her service to this community has been exceptional,” Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeill said at a press conference. “Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons, which was one of the weapons found on the scene. And we are continuing to investigate how the weapon was used.”
The suspect’s mother, Jessica Eekner, has been with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years. (Leon County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities say the two killed were not FSU students. The area is still considered an active crime scene, and authorities believe the suspect acted alone.
There is “ There is no further threat to our community at this point,” Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Rebel said.
On April 17, 2025, evacuees monitored law enforcement work on the Florida State University (FSU) campus after a mass shooting in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. (Alicia Devine/USA Today Network via Imaging Images via Reuters)
Fox News Digital was defending a group of students Thursday evening for those who were injured and killed during an attack at FSU.
The photo shows several students kneeling at the scene of the shooting. Authorities are still covered in yellow tape as they continue their extensive investigation.
Along with some candles and heart-shaped balloons, a bouquet of dozens of flowers was left over for the all night.
FSU student William Schatz spoke to Fox News Digital on Thursday night about the incident that unfolded while he was in the library.
Schatz said he is preparing a presentation with a group of fellow students, scheduled to be held at 1:20pm.
“Some people stayed in the library…but my instinct was, I saw people running and I was going to run with them,” said a senior at FSU.
Schatz also praised the first responders for quickly controlling the situation.
The FBI was able to send agents to Sheen from the Tallahassee Field office as it is located near the FSU campus. The ATF’s Tampa office also confirmed they were on the scene supporting law enforcement, and the FBI’s Jacksonville office was seeking information about the shooting and asking for tips from the public.
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FSU said all classes have been cancelled until Friday and the athletic event in Tallahassee has been cancelled until the weekend. FSU President Richard McCullough issued a statement on the X, calling the shooting “tragic and pointless acts of violence.”
“There will be more updates in the next few days, and more time to reflect and heal. But now we will grieve together,” the president said. “We leaned against each other, and we remember who we are. We are Florida. We are family. And we stand together.”
Second-year student Ben Veytsman, studying FSU’s management information system, had just finished his treatment appointment on campus after hearing the shot.
Veytsman told Fox News Digital that treatment appointments have been made at Thagard Building, a campus near the Student Union. After leaving, he heard a pop noise as he walked along campus.
“I was walking home and this one guy was like chasing another,” recalled the university student. “It looked like that, but they’re both like running…and I thought they had an argument between themselves.
People were comforted by each other on Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee, and law enforcement responded to the active shooter incident reported on Thursday, April 17th. (AP/Kate Payne)
“And the guy in front of me said, ‘Yes, there’s a shooting at school. Everyone came inside, because we were right in the library, and he could say he wasn’t kidding.
The sophomore said he was evacuated to the staff lounge before being escorted elsewhere and ultimately allowed him to walk to the house.
“It wasn’t real to me. I felt like I was enacting a school shooter training.”
FSU’s Student Call Summers, who was in the Student Union, spoke to Fox News Digital about his experience.
“I was getting food at Panera and immediately after hearing the shot I heard a group of girls saying something about the guns right after they started running.
Another student, Christopher Marav, told Fox News Digital that he was in the Student Union when the shooting began.
“Thanks to the Lord, I went home safely,” the meteorology student said. “I’ve been trying to recover my thoughts for the past few hours.”
“I truly believe that God has protected me today, and I am truly blessed.
R-Fla. Sen. Ashley Moody said her office is in touch with FSU leadership about the situation.
“I pray for the safety of our students, our faculty and all our first responders involved,” Moody writes.
A woman speaks by phone after evacuating from Florida State University (FSU) campus on April 17, 2025, following a mass shooting in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. (Alicia Devine/USA Today Network via Imaging Images via Reuters)
Additionally, R-FLA Sen. Rick Scott said he prayed for the safety of all people at FSU, instructing students to follow the directions of school officials.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation and made a brief comment in his oval office. He said, “It’s scary to see something like this happen.”
” [FBI] It is located on the Florida scene and we are in contact with agents on the ground. Our priority is the safety of all involved. I’ll continue updating as I learn more. I pray for everyone,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote.
Florida State University map showing student union buildings
FBI Director Kash Patel said he was briefed on the situation, and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that the department was on the FSU site.
“The FBI is on the FSU site. I’m back from the LA office to DC, but I’m up to date with the airplane situation. I’ll update as I learn more,” Bongino wrote in X’s post.
Florida Gov. Ron Desantis, R-Fla. wrote on social media platform X that “our prayers are actively handled by the FSU family and state law enforcement.”
An emergency vehicle near Florida State University amid reports that there could be an active shooter situation.
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FSU’s Tallahassee campus is on 485.7 acres and the university has a total of 403 buildings. According to the school’s website, the student body is strong at over 44,300 people, and the university has over 16,000 employees.
