Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old political science pupil at Florida State College, is on the centre of a nationwide tragedy and a rising legal investigation following a lethal capturing on the college’s Tallahassee campus. Two individuals have been killed and 6 others injured when Ikner allegedly opened fireplace utilizing a firearm registered to his mom, a long-serving deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Workplace. The incident has shocked the group and introduced renewed scrutiny to points round gun entry, extremism and psychological well being.
A Troubled Upbringing
Ikner, initially named Christian Gunnar Eriksen, endured a tumultuous childhood. In line with court documents, his organic mom, Anne-Mari Eriksen, kidnapped him in March 2015 throughout a bitter custody battle and fled to Norway with out the consent of his father, Christopher Ikner. Regardless of having joint custody, Eriksen was prohibited from taking the kid overseas with out prior notification. She was later arrested at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Worldwide Airport and sentenced to 200 days in jail for illegally eradicating a baby from Florida.
Phoenix, who reportedly suffered from developmental delays, ADHD and a development hormone dysfunction, was 10 on the time. The stress from his early years is believed to have left long-lasting psychological scars. In 2020, he legally modified his title to Phoenix Ikner and later joined the Leon County Sheriff’s Workplace Youth Advisory Council. His mom, Deputy Jessica Ikner, had served for 18 years and was additionally a college useful resource officer.
Far-Proper Views And Social Isolation
Though described by some friends as cheerful and engaged, others famous deeply disturbing behaviours. In line with NBC Information and The Unbiased, Ikner was expelled from a political discourse membership as a result of his white supremacist views and offensive remarks. One classmate from Tallahassee State School recounted that Ikner mentioned Rosa Parks was “within the unsuitable” and continuously made derogatory feedback about Black individuals. His rhetoric reportedly disturbed college students to the purpose the place some stopped attending the membership altogether.
One pupil instructed USA Right this moment: “I keep in mind considering this man mustn’t have entry to firearms. His mom was a cop, and Florida would not have very robust crimson flag legal guidelines.”
Timeline Of The Capturing
The capturing unfolded round noon on 17 April 2025, prompting a lockdown at FSU. Witnesses reported seeing a person in an orange T-shirt firing from an orange Hummer outdoors the coed union constructing. Gunfire despatched college students fleeing and hiding throughout campus, many abandoning private objects within the rush to security.
One eyewitness reported listening to 15 pictures. Police confronted the gunman, who didn’t adjust to instructions and was shot earlier than being taken into custody. He was hospitalised for his accidents.
Authorities haven’t but recognized a motive for the assault. Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell confirmed Ikner had invoked his proper to stay silent.
Who Have been The Victims?
The identities of the deceased haven’t been made public, however police said they weren’t FSU college students. Six others have been taken to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, the place they have been handled for critical accidents. The hospital launched a press release assuring the general public that they have been offering the best degree of care.
Household Fallout And Public Backlash
Ikner’s organic mom, Anne-Mari Eriksen, posted a now-deleted Facebook message blaming Christopher and Jessica Ikner for poor communication. She additionally lashed out at media protection, expressing sympathy for the victims and their households.
In the meantime, the incident has reignited debates on entry to firearms, particularly inside regulation enforcement households, and has raised questions over psychological well being intervention and on-line extremism.
Ikner is at the moment beneath police custody in hospital. Authorities proceed to research the incident, which has left a group devastated and a nation grappling with troublesome questions round gun violence and ideological radicalisation.
