TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida State University student has been charged with murder following a campus shooting last month that left two dead and several others injured. Phoenix Ikner, 20, was released from a local hospital Monday, where he was treated for injuries he sustained during the incident.
Ikner faces two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder, according to court documents. The shooting, which occurred on April 17, shocked the local community and prompted widespread mourning, as friends and family organized vigils to honor the victims.
After his release from the hospital, Ikner was booked into the Leon County Detention Facility but was subsequently transferred to the Wakulla County Detention Facility. This transfer aligns with protocol due to his family connections within local law enforcement. He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning.
During the chaotic scenes that unfolded on campus, Ikner was shot in the jaw by campus police as they intervened. The Tallahassee Police Department noted that he underwent multiple surgeries for his injuries prior to his release. A firearm recovered at the scene, tied to his stepmother, Jessica Ikner, has raised questions given her role as a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Jessica Ikner has stepped back from her duties as a school resource deputy while the investigation continues. Officials are currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding the firearm’s storage, although no policy violations have been identified thus far.
Authorities have highlighted Ikner’s previous involvement with the sheriff’s office. He has participated in various trainings and was a member of the Youth Advisory Council, indicating a long-standing relationship with law enforcement. Sheriff Walt McNeil acknowledged the complexities created by Ikner’s ties to the department during a recent press conference.
As the investigation unfolds, Ikner has invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, thereby refraining from answering questions posed by investigators. Law enforcement officials have yet to determine a motive for the shooting, leaving the community grappling with unanswered questions about the tragic incident.
The impact of the shooting has resonated throughout Tallahassee, prompting discussions about campus safety and community healing. Memorials and public gatherings have served as spaces for residents to express their grief and solidarity in the face of such violence. As the case develops, authorities are expected to provide further updates, but for now, the region remains in shock over the harrowing events of April.