Student who dismissed anti-Trump protests as “entertaining” named as FSU campus shooter

Phoenix Ikner was a political science major at Florida State University. Months before being named as the suspect in a campus mass shooting that left two dead and six injured, Ikner had been quoted in the student newspaper during anti-Trump demonstrations. At the time, he dismissed the protests as “entertaining, but usually not for good reasons,” and commented that there was little point in demonstrating once Donald Trump’s inauguration was underway, adding that “unless you outright revolt, and I don’t think anyone wants that,” efforts were futile.

That quote, resurfacing in the wake of Thursday’s deadly shooting, has since taken on chilling new meaning as law enforcement officials work to uncover what drove the 20-year-old student to allegedly carry out a mass shooting at his own university.

What do we know about Phoenix Ikner’s background?

Identified by police as the lone suspect in the Florida State University shooting, Phoenix Ikner is currently hospitalized after being shot by officers who responded to the midday attack on April 17, 2025. Authorities say Ikner opened fire near the student union, killing two individuals and wounding six others before refusing to comply with officers’ commands and being subdued by force.

Ikner’s background paints a complex picture. He was previously involved in student life and had participated in politically oriented campus discussions. He also has dual citizenship in the United States and Norway and was born Christian Gunnar Eriksen before taking on his current name. Court records detail a tumultuous early life, including a prolonged custody battle and a period in which his mother took him unlawfully to Norway. He was diagnosed with ADHD and a growth hormone disorder during childhood, though how those factors may have influenced his behavior later in life is still being evaluated by investigators.

How did Ikner access a weapon for the attack?

One of the most troubling revelations is that Ikner allegedly used his mother’s former service weapon in the attack. Authorities confirmed that his mother, Jessica Ikner, is a veteran deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The handgun used was reportedly retained for personal use after the department upgraded its standard issue sidearms. Investigators are still determining whether the firearm was securely stored or how Ikner obtained access to it.

This detail has raised fresh concerns about the protocols surrounding retired service weapons and personal firearm storage among law enforcement households. Although many departments permit officers to keep their old service weapons, critics say the practice can lead to deadly consequences if proper safeguards are not observed.

What happened on the day of the Florida State University shooting?

The shooting unfolded just after noon near one of the busiest student areas on campus, triggering panic and immediate lockdowns. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as students fled into classrooms, dormitories, and nearby academic buildings while gunshots echoed through the quad. Tallahassee Police Department officers arrived at the scene quickly, locating the suspect and ordering him to surrender. When Ikner allegedly failed to drop his weapon, officers shot and wounded him before securing the area.

Among the eight victims, two were declared deceased at the scene, while the remaining six were rushed to local hospitals. Authorities have not yet released the names of those injured or killed, pending notifications to next of kin. FSU officials have confirmed that at least some of the victims were not students, suggesting the shooter may have targeted passersby at random.

Were there signs of premeditation or ideological motives?

Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive, and Ikner has reportedly invoked his right to remain silent while being treated under police custody. However, law enforcement agencies are actively reviewing his digital history, communications, and campus behavior for signs of premeditated violence or ideological leanings.

Ikner’s resurfaced comments about anti-Trump protests have stirred online debate about his possible political views, but investigators have not linked the shooting to a specific cause or ideology. What is known is that he previously participated in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Youth Advisory Council, indicating some familiarity with law enforcement operations and procedures.

There are unconfirmed reports suggesting that he may have previously been expelled from a political club at another academic institution for promoting far-right or racially charged views. These claims are being reviewed as part of the broader investigation into his motive and mental state.

What actions are authorities and FSU taking after the incident?

The university quickly canceled classes and all public events through the weekend following the attack. FSU President Richard McCullough issued a statement mourning the loss of life and assuring students that counseling and security services had been ramped up across campus. Law enforcement presence remains heavy, with a coordinated response involving the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and federal agencies.

Officials are working to determine whether Ikner acted alone and whether he left behind any written or digital material that could provide insight into his mindset. A parallel inquiry is also underway to determine how the weapon was stored, how he accessed it, and whether any safety violations contributed to the tragic outcome.

How has the public and political response evolved?

The FSU shooting has once again sparked debate over gun control, mental health, and the responsibilities of law enforcement families regarding weapon storage. Florida lawmakers have faced scrutiny in recent years for their positions on gun rights and campus carry laws. Thursday’s shooting, especially involving a weapon once issued to a sheriff’s deputy, is expected to renew legislative discussions.

President Donald Trump, who remains a polarising figure in the national political landscape and was referenced in Ikner’s old quote, issued a brief statement offering condolences to the victims’ families. However, he maintained his position on the Second Amendment, arguing that “guns are not the problem—people are.”

Experts in criminology and campus safety say that shootings like the one at FSU reinforce the need for better mental health infrastructure, more stringent firearm storage laws, and community-based threat assessment models. Dr. James Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University, has long argued that most mass shooters signal intent beforehand—whether through changes in behavior, online activity, or direct threats.

Whether such red flags were present in Phoenix Ikner’s case remains one of the key questions facing investigators as they piece together the events that led to one of Florida State University’s darkest days.