FSU Student Recounts Chilling Encounter With Campus Shooter: "It Could Have Been Me"
FSU Student Recounts Chilling Encounter With Campus Shooter: "It Could Have Been Me"
“It Could Have Been Me”: FSU Student Recounts Harrowing Shooting as New Details Emerge About Suspect
TALLAHASSEE, FL – April 18, 2025
The Florida State University (FSU) community remains shaken following a mass shooting that left two dead and six injured on Thursday. As the dust begins to settle, disturbing new details about the alleged shooter, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, are emerging — shedding light on his past, personal history, and connection to law enforcement.
Among the terrified students who witnessed the chaos unfold firsthand was McKenzie Heeter, a junior at FSU who was only feet away when the gunman opened fire.
“I saw him waving a rifle. Then he pulled a handgun and shot a woman,” she said. “That’s when I just completely ran. I’ve never moved that fast in my life.”
McKenzie recalled seeing the victim in purple scrubs get shot from behind. “She didn’t even know what hit her. That’s what I keep thinking about,” she said, visibly shaken. She made her first call to her mom after escaping safely.
The Aftermath: Chaos, Trauma, and a Broken Sense of Safety
Students abandoned shoes, backpacks, and phones in their scramble to flee. Law enforcement later confirmed that two victims — both non-students — were killed, and six others were injured. All survivors have since been listed in fair condition. Ikner was apprehended with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot by responding officers.
Who Is Phoenix Ikner? A Deeper Look
CNN’s investigation reveals that Phoenix Ikner is the stepson of a long-serving sheriff’s deputy, Jessica Ikner, whose service weapon he allegedly used in the shooting. Authorities say he also carried a shotgun and had a deep connection to local law enforcement, participating in the Leon County Sheriff's Youth Advisory Council and other training programs over the years.
“He was steeped in the sheriff’s office family,” said Sheriff Walter McNeil. “It’s not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons.”
Court documents show that Ikner, formerly known as Christian Eriksen, had a complex upbringing. At age 10, he was illegally taken to Norway by his biological mother, a dual U.S.-Norwegian citizen, violating a custody order. She served jail time and was prohibited from contacting him during her sentence.
Concerning Behavior Before the Shooting
Reid Seybold, a fellow FSU student, recognized Ikner from an extracurricular political club. He told CNN that Ikner had been asked to leave due to making others uncomfortable.
“He made enough people stop coming that we eventually had to ask him to leave,” Seybold said. “He went beyond conservatism — talking about the 'ravages of multiculturalism and communism.'”
Although his social media included Bible verses and patriotic content, his political views and behavior raised red flags with peers.
A Tragic Turn from Youth Leadership to Violence
Ikner once represented what many hoped would be the future of community-oriented policing. His participation in the youth council was intended to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the next generation. That’s what makes this incident even more heartbreaking.
“It was all about making better choices,” said Kenniyah Houston, a fellow youth council member. “It’s scary to think someone from that group could do something like this.”
Authorities have not released a motive, but the investigation into Ikner’s background and possible intent is ongoing.
Hashtags for Awareness & Reach:
#FSUStrong #CampusSafety #GunViolence #PhoenixIkner #TallahasseeNews #FSUShooting #StudentVoices #StopTheViolence #MentalHealthAwareness #FloridaNews
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