FSU Suspected Shooter’s Disturbing Views Revealed—Classmate ‘Sadly Not Surprised’ [WATCH]

The suspect identified in the deadly shooting at Florida State University on Thursday, April 18, 2025, reportedly expressed white supremacist views and used firearms belonging to his mother, a Leon County sheriff’s deputy, according to classmates and authorities, as reported by The New York Post.

The shooter, identified as Phoenix Ikner, allegedly opened fire near the campus student union around midday, killing two people and injuring at least six others before he was shot by police and taken into custody. He was hospitalized for his injuries.

Witnesses and classmates of Ikner have come forward detailing troubling behavior and rhetoric from the suspect in the months leading up to the attack.

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Reid Seybold, a former classmate from Tallahassee State College, told the Tallahassee Democrat that Ikner was asked to leave a political club on campus due to his “white supremacist rhetoric.”

“Basically our only rule was no Nazis — colloquially speaking — and he espoused so much white supremacist rhetoric, and far-right rhetoric as well, to the point where we had to exercise that rule,” Seybold said.

Another former classmate, Lucas Luzietti, recalled Ikner’s comments during their federal politics class, where he made disparaging remarks about black people and shared conspiracy theories, including claims that former President Joe Biden’s election was illegitimate.

BREAKING: Phoenix Ikner, 20, has been identified as the FSU shọoter and son of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy. pic.twitter.com/7kdgZuC7Py

— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) April 17, 2025

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“I got into arguments with him in class over how gross the things he said were,” Luzietti told USA Today. “What are you supposed to do? His mother was a cop, and Florida doesn’t have very strong red flag laws.”

Luzietti added that Ikner openly stated that Rosa Parks was “in the wrong” and often claimed that black residents were responsible for destroying his community. Luzietti also said he believed Ikner should not have had access to firearms.

Authorities have confirmed that Ikner had access to weapons through his mother, a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. One of the guns allegedly used in the shooting is believed to belong to her.

Ikner reportedly arrived at the campus in an orange Hummer, exited the vehicle with a rifle and pistol, and began firing at students, including shooting one woman “right in front of him,” according to eyewitnesses.

FSU Shooter captured on camera shooting at victims. There also appears to be a victim on the ground beside him at the start of the video. pic.twitter.com/3Fesu10s0M

— The Space Coast Rocket (@CoastRocket) April 17, 2025

Officials stated that Ikner did not comply with law enforcement commands and was shot before being detained. His condition remains unknown, but he was hospitalized for his injuries.

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, as officials examine Ikner’s background and motivations. The identities of the deceased victims have not yet been released.

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