TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A grand jury has indicted Phoenix Ikner on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, in connection with the deadly shooting on the Florida State University campus that occurred on April 17. The indictment was filed Wednesday, listing a total of nine charges, which also include seven counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Ikner’s indictment follows his initial court appearance on Tuesday, during which the court denied him bond and imposed restrictions barring him from contacting witnesses or victims involved in the incident. Currently, he is being held at the Wakulla County Detention Facility, a precautionary measure given his familial ties to a member of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
The grand jury’s findings described the shooting as “our community’s worst nightmare,” emphasizing that the situation could have escalated further. According to their investigation, FSU Police Officer Cody Poppell bravely engaged the shooter during the chaos, confronting Ikner amid gunfire near key campus landmarks. The presentment revealed that Poppell, positioned on his motorcycle, fired multiple shots, striking Ikner once.
In the aftermath of the shooting, two individuals—identified as Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba—lost their lives, while five others sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment. The grand jury concluded that the victims were randomly selected and absent any warning.
As part of their inquiry, jurors discovered that Ikner acted alone and utilized a stolen 12-gauge shotgun from his parents’ home, along with a .45 caliber pistol taken from his father’s bedside. Investigators found no prior indications of mental health issues or threats in Ikner’s academic records from local educational institutions, including Leon County Schools and Florida State University.
Ikner’s stepson status relative to a deputy raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, leading to his detention location. During his court proceedings, the Chabba family’s attorney expressed hope for justice and closure through a thorough investigation and prosecution of the events surrounding the shooting.
This tragic incident has left a profound impact on the FSU community, which remains shaken as it grapples with the aftermath of this violence. The ongoing legal proceedings will shed light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting and aim to hold those responsible accountable.