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Roberto Morales, one of the two victims in the mass shooting that occurred on Thursday at the Florida State University (FSU), was the son of a notorious former Cuban-American CIA agent, with a past linked to covert operations against Fidel Castro and, allegedly, the training of the assassin of President John F. Kennedy.
Morales, 57 years old, worked as a dining services coordinator at FSU, was very well-liked on campus, and was killed when a young gunman opened fire near the university center in Tallahassee.
The identity of the second victim has not been revealed, while six other people were injured and are out of danger, according to reports from CBS News.
A father shrouded in the shadows of the Cold War
The victim's father, Ricardo "Monkey" Morales, was a well-known counterintelligence agent who operated in the 1960s and 70s for the CIA, FBI, DEA, and intelligence agencies in Israel and Venezuela, reported this Friday the media Florida Politics.
Cuban exile, he participated in covert operations against Fidel Castro's regime, including the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, and was a sniper instructor in secret camps where Cuban exiles and foreign agents were trained.
In a radio interview in 2021 with Actualidad Radio (1040 AM), his son Ricardo Morales Jr., who is set to publish a book about his father, revealed that "Monkey" Morales identified Lee Harvey Oswald—the assassin of Kennedy in 1963—as one of his former students at a CIA training camp.
"When he saw the photo of Oswald after the assassination, he realized it was the same person he had seen at the training camp. It had a tag with his name. He didn't know him back then because he wasn't famous, but he recognized him later," said Morales Jr.
A life wrapped in conspiracies and violence
In addition to his undercover work, Ricardo Morales Sr. was accused multiple times of participating in drug trafficking operations and attacks, although many charges did not succeed, which fueled theories that he was still under federal protection. He was portrayed in the Netflix series Griselda, and his figure was covered in books such as Hotel Scarface, which focus on the golden age of organized crime in Miami.
He died in 1982, at the age of 43, after being shot in a bar fight in Key Biscayne. The police classified the incident as a justified homicide.
A personal and professional loss
The connection between Roberto Morales and his famous father was confirmed by his brother, Ricardo Morales Jr., who posted on his X account (formerly Twitter):
“Today we lost my younger brother. He was one of the victims of the shooting at FSU. He loved his job, his beautiful wife, and his daughter. I am glad he was a part of my life.”
The post has been viewed over 335,000 times and has prompted both condolences and renewed interest in the story of "Monkey" Morales.
The author of the shooting at Florida State University, a 20-year-old man, was the stepson of a Leon County sheriff's deputy. Authorities indicated that he is not cooperating with the investigation and remains hospitalized after being shot during his arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions about the shooting at Florida State University and its connection to the former Cuban agent
Who was Roberto Morales, one of the victims of the shooting at FSU?
Roberto Morales was a worker at the Florida State University (FSU) campus and one of the founders of the Cuban restaurant Gordos Cuban Cuisine in Tallahassee. He was the son of a former Cuban-American CIA agent and was one of the two fatalities in the shooting that occurred on campus.
What is the significance of Roberto Morales's father in the history of espionage?
The father of Roberto Morales, Ricardo "Monkey" Morales, was a well-known counterintelligence agent who worked for the CIA, FBI, DEA, and other international agencies. He was involved in undercover operations against Fidel Castro and is known for his alleged role in training Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin of President John F. Kennedy.
Who is Phoenix Ikner, the suspect in the FSU shooting?
Phoenix Ikner, 20 years old, is the Florida State University student identified as the author of the shooting. He is the stepson of a Leon County sheriff's deputy and used a gun registered in his mother's name during the attack.
What security measures were taken after the shooting at FSU?
After the shooting, Florida State University activated its emergency alert system and urged students and staff to take shelter. Classes and administrative activities were suspended, and law enforcement, along with the FBI, secured the campus area.
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