FSU shooting: Mom speaks out after suspected shooter son is identified as ‘white supremacist’
Phoenix Ikner was removed from a school political club over ‘far-right rhetoric’ he shared, his classmates claim
The suspect in the Florida State University shooting reportedly shared “white supremacist views” with concerned classmates before yesterday’s attack that killed two people and injured six others.
Phoenix Ikner had a tumultuous childhood, according to court records showing the biological mother of the 20-year-old was accused of removing him from the U.S. when he was 10.
He later changed his name from Christian Eriksen to share the surname of his mother, Leon County Deputy Jessica Ikner, whose former service weapon he used during the shooting, police said.
His biological mother, Anne-Mari Eriksen, told ABC News on Friday that she initially worried he might have been hurt; when he was named a suspect, she “collapsed.”
"There’s so much that needs to be said about this, but I just can’t talk without crying. We need time to process all this,” she said.
Following the attack, a classmate at Ikner’s former school claimed the suspect was told to leave a “political round table” club after he “espoused so much white supremacist rhetoric, and far-right rhetoric as well, to the point where we had to exercise that rule.”
Once Ikner is released from the hospital, where he is expected to be for a while, he’ll be “taken to a local detention facility where he will face the charges up to and including first-degree murder,” Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said Friday.
Investigators had not revealed a motive as of Friday evening or released the victims’ identities, but some family members have come forward.
The two victims who lost their lives were identified Friday as Tiru Chabba and Robert Morales. Both men were fathers.
Suspect in custody at Florida State University: What we know about the alleged shooter
Six people were injured in a shooting on Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus on Thursday.
FSU police locked the campus down after reports of an active shooter and students were told to shelter in place.
Here’s what we know:
Suspect in custody at FSU: What we know about the alleged shooter
FSU classes and sporting events cancelled over the weekend
FSU officials said that all classes and other business operations would be cancelled on Friday also, in the wake of the mass shooting on its Tallahassee campus.
“All classes and business operations are canceled through Friday, April 18. Essential employees should check with their supervisors for further reporting instructions,” an online statement read.
Athletics events in Tallahassee were also canceled throughout the weekend.
At least one dead following FSU shooting – report
At least one person has died following the shooting at Florida State University’s Tallahassee campus, according to reports.
A senior Florida law enforcement official briefed on the matter confirmed the news to NBC.
Full story: One dead and at least five others hurt after shooting at Florida State University – Suspect in custody
At least one person is reported to have died and five others are in serious condition following a shooting on Florida State University’s campus.
FSU locked the campus in Tallahassee, Florida, down on Thursday following reports of an active shooter and students were warned to shelter in place.
Read the full story here:
Active shooter reported at Florida State University sending campus into lockdown
FSU issues update: Students told to avoid the area
Florida State University has issued a new update and warned students to avoid the area.
The Student Union building and the surrounding area “is still considered an active crime scene,” FSU said in the update.
All classes and business operations on the main campus are canceled through Friday.
See the full update below:
Witness: ' I saw him shoot the lady like right in front of him'
A witness has told how she saw the alleged shooter fire at a woman on campus.
FSU junior McKenzie Heeter told NBC News that she was near the student union when she saw “a guy in an orange Hummer” pull up and get out of his vehicle with a rifle.
He took out the weapon and shot in her direction, she said. She called the police just before midday to report the shooting.
“I think he was shooting and he missed. So he goes back into his car and grabs a pistol, then he turns and shoots the lady in front of him,” she said. “That’s when I just started running.
“When he turned back around with the pistol, I saw him shoot the lady like right in front of him. She was probably like 5 feet in front of him with the pistol,” Heeter added.
The student said she ran back to her apartment as fast as she could and warned others to stay away from campus.
Pictured: Students evacuate with hands above their heads
Campus is secured - police
Tallahassee Police has confirmed the campus is now secure, but warned students to stay away from the area.
They will share more details at a press conference at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon.
FSU: 'Law enforcement has neutralized the threat'
FSU has issued another update confirming that police have neutralized the threat to campus.
“Law enforcement has neutralized the threat. Please avoid the Student Union, Bellamy, HCB Classroom Building, Rovetta A&B, Moore Auditorium, Shaw, Pepper, Hecht House and Carraway as they are still considered an active crime scene,” the university said.
“Individuals are free to move about other areas of campus. Individuals who may have witnessed anything of value should call 850-891-4987. Visit http://alerts.fsu.edu for official updates.”