The President of the United States, Donald Trump, expressed his sorrow this Thursday over the shooting reported at Florida State University (FSU), describing the incident as “a disgrace” and “a terrible thing”.
Trump made his statements during a joint press conference in the Oval Office with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, after being questioned by reporters about the incident.
"I have been informed about the shooting. I assume it is an active shooter. Completely aware of where we are at this moment. It is a shame. It is a horrible thing. It is terrible that such things happen, and we will have more to say about it later,” said the leader.
According to information from CNN, a suspect in the shooting was already in custody by Thursday afternoon, after the police responded to the alarm triggered at that educational institution.
The FSU later indicated that the threat had been neutralized. However, it cautioned that several buildings are still being treated as active crime scenes, and access to those areas remains restricted.
The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, sent a message of support to the FSU community that was on the main campus in Tallahassee.
"Our thoughts are with our FSU family, and state law enforcement is actively responding," he said in a brief statement released on social media platform X.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed that its agents from the Jacksonville office and the resident agency in Tallahassee came together to respond at the scene of the shooting, providing support to local law enforcement authorities in the course of the investigation.
The Florida State University has over 40,000 students and is one of the main educational centers in the state. Emergency teams remain deployed on site as the investigation continues.
An official statement is expected to be issued in the coming hours with additional details about the shooting, the condition of the victims, and potential motives of the shooter.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Shooting at Florida State University
What happened at Florida State University on April 17, 2025?
On April 17, 2025, a shooting was reported on the main campus of Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, resulting in two fatalities and at least five injuries. The suspect, a student of the university, was apprehended and also sustained injuries.
How did the authorities react to the shooting at FSU?
The law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, responded quickly to the incident, managing the situation and securing the campus. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump were informed and expressed their support for the university community.
What was Florida State University's response after the shooting?
Florida State University activated its emergency protocol, issuing alerts for students and staff to take shelter in their current locations. All classes and activities have been canceled until April 18, and the community was advised to avoid certain areas of the campus while investigations were underway.
What do we know about the suspect in the shooting at FSU?
The suspect has been identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student from the university itself. He was arrested following the shooting and is currently hospitalized. Authorities continue to investigate his motivations, but the suspect has claimed his right to remain silent.
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