LCSO: Stepmom of alleged FSU gunman was deputy of the year, practiced shooting with him

Jessica Ikner, a beloved Raa Middle School student resource deputy, was the 2023 law enforcement officer of the year with the Leon County Sheriff's Office.

She also practiced shooting with her stepson, Phoenix, at a firing range, but "not in an official capacity," according to LCSO.

After Phoenix allegedly opened fire with his mother's gun on FSU's campus , injuring six students and killing two people who weren't students, Deputy Ikner "has requested personal leave and been granted that," according to LCSO spokesperson Shonda Knight.

Sheriff Walt McNeil also decided Ikner would be reassigned from the school to the property crimes division due to the "sensitivity of the matter and to make sure she is properly acclimated under the circumstances," Knight said.

At a press conference Thursday evening, McNeil said he saw no immediate cause for Deputy Ikner's suspension.

He said Phoenix was "steeped in the Leon County Sheriff's Office family." He served on the agency's Youth Advisory Council and "being the son of law enforcement, meant he was constantly exposed to firearm safety," Knight said.

Phoenix also practiced shooting with his mother at a firearms range, but not in an "official capacity" with the agency, Knight said.

"It is my understanding it was to make sure he knew the proper handling of a weapon for safety purposes," Knight said.

Knight said there was a somber feeling Friday at the Sheriff's Office as well as a certainty that a quick law enforcement response saved lives.

LCSO investigating how shooter acquired weapons

The handgun he allegedly used to commit the "heinous crime" was his mother's retired service weapon that she owned.

"Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons," McNeil said. "We are continuing that investigation into how that weapon was used and what other weapons he perhaps may have had access to."

A shotgun also was found at the scene, but it is unclear if he used both weapons. He said it was "not a surprise to us that he had access to weapons."

"This event is tragic in more ways than you people in the audience can ever fathom from a law enforcement perspective," McNeil said. "But I will tell you this: We will make sure we do everything we can to prosecute."

"Our deepest condolences go out to the FSU family, the families of the students who were here, and we understand that you all have been devastated because of this person's actions," he said.LCSO will be investigating the incident.

Former LCSO spokesperson' call to community: Stand with Deputy Ikner

Former LCSO spokesperson Angela Green took to social media to share how her heart was broken for grieving families, including Deputy Ikner's. While Ikner's connection to the shooting caused shockwaves through law enforcement, Green wrote on Facebook what an honor it was working alongside Deputy Ikner, who "loves those kids she protects each day." 

"As parents, we do our best — we teach, we guide, we pray. But we cannot control the choices of our children, young and old, or what happens behind closed doors. No one can prepare for something like this," she said. 

"Thank you to every parent and friend sharing stories of her kindness, strength, and the countless lives she's impacted. She's shown up for so many of us. Let's continue to show up for her."

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU shooting suspect Phoenix Ikener fired guns with deputy step-mother