FSU shooting suspect charged

The 20-year-old was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder on Monday, accused of opening fire in a fatal shooting on Florida State University campus last month, according to Tallahassee police.

Phoenix Ikner was released from a hospital and he underwent multiple surgeries to treat the injuries he suffered in the April 17 shooting, police said. Authorities said he was taken to a detention center in “the area” and no one was specified.

It is not clear whether Ikner currently has a lawyer.

Officials said the 20-year-old sheriff's representative's stepson was accused of killing two people and injured at least six people, allegedly opening fires on the main campus of the University of Tallahassee before being arrested.

The two victims of the death were Robert Morales, a university catering coordinator and Tiru Chabba, executive of food service provider Aramark, according to family members and family lawyers.

Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said there appears to be no connection between Ikner and any of the victims.

Ikner is considered a student at FSU, and some of his classmates say he has white supremacist and far-right views. The motive for the shooting is still unknown.

A FBI official said the 20-year-old changed his name from Christian Gunnar Eriksen in 2020 to his current name. He is a registered Republican, according to online public voter records.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said officials said a pistol found at the scene was believed to be a shooting and was believed to belong to Ickner's stepmother, sheriff's deputy. Officials said the weapon was her former service weapon, which became her personal service weapon and was located on the scene.

Ikner's stepmother worked for 18 years in the Leon County Sheriff's Office and took leave after the shooting. She was also reassigned to the property crime department.

Police said the gunman arrived on campus an hour before the shooting, opened fire before lunch time while firing the pistol and then stayed near the parking lot near the parking lot.

Four days after the violence, classes resumed on campus.

Students and lecturers may choose to attend classes in person or remotely, depending on the course. FSU President Richard McCullough said in a letter to students and staff that the school has abandoned all mandatory attendance policies that could affect grades, so students will not be punished if they choose not to attend classes in person.