FSU students shelter in place: What to know about FSU’s active shooter policy

There was an active shooter on campus at Florida State University today, Thursday, April 17. At around noon, the Leon County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of an active shooter in FSU's student union. FSU students not already on campus are instructed to stay away. All Leon County schools were under lockdown by 12:15 p.m.

Students were instructed through the university's emergency alert system to shelter in place, lock and stay away from all doors and windows, and "be prepared to take additional protective measures."

At 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, students were still sheltering in place and six people had been reported injured and were being treated for injuries, some of them critical. Rumors of multiple shooters on campus were circulating among students, but not confirmed by local authorities. One man was taken into custody, according to the Tallahassee Police Department.

"All classes and university events including athletics events scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2025, have been cancelled," FSU's alert website says . "Individuals not already on the main campus at this time should avoid coming to the Tallahassee main campus."

At a 4:30 p.m. press conference, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell identified the shooter as 20-year-old Pheonix Ikner. Revell said Ikner shot eight people, killing two. 

Ikner, the son of a longtime Leon County sheriff's deputy, was also shot and injured.. He did not shoot at any law enforcement officers, Revell said, but did not comply when confronted by police.

Here's what we know about FSU's active shooter policy.

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Where is Florida State University located?

Florida State University is located at 222 S. Copeland Street in Tallahassee.

Shelter in place: What is Florida State University's policy on active shooters?

Like several other universities and schools, Florida State University has adopted the "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol for responding to an active shooter situation.

Run: 

• Have an escape route and plan in mind.

• Leave your belongings behind.

• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.

• Help others escape, if possible.

• Do not attempt to move the wounded.

• Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be. 

• Keep your hands visible.

• Call 9-1-1 when you are safe 

Hide:

• Hide in an area out of the shooter's view.

• Lock door and block entry to your hiding place.

• Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode) and remain quiet.

Fight:

• Fight as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.

• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter.

• Act with as much physical aggression as possible.

• Improvise weapons or throw items at the active shooter.

• Commit to your actions. Your life depends on it.

• The first officers to arrive on scene will not stop to help the injured.

• Expect rescue teams to follow initial officers.

• These rescue teams will treat and remove injured.

• Once you have reached a safe location, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned.

• Do not leave the area until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

FSU active shooter update

At 1 p.m. on Thursday, a Tallahassee police spokesperson confirmed that one person is in custody but could not confirm any deaths, citing "multiple injuries."

Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson Alicia Turner confirmed to the Tallahassee Democrat that they have "a man in custody." She could not say if the man in custody was the shooter and had no information about rumors on campus regarding the possibility of multiple shooters.

Around 12:45 p.m., an FSU alert said to "Continue to shelter in place. Police have responded to an active shooter call at the Student Union. Stay alert for more information. Persons in need of immediate emergency assistance should call 911 or FSUPD at 850-644-1234."

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare spokesperson Stephanie Derzypolski confirmed to the Tallahassee Democrat that they have received six patients. 

"Still evaluating, but injuries (vary) from critical, serious stable," she said.

At a 4:30 p.m. press conference, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell identified the shooter as 20-year-old Pheonix Ikner. Revell said Ikner shot eight people, killing two. 

Ikner, the son of a longtime Leon County sheriff's deputy, was also shot and injured.. He did not shoot at any law enforcement officers, Revell said, but did not comply when confronted by police.

What FSU students, locals are saying about active shooter on X

Contributing: William Hatfield, Arianna Otero , Jim Rosica , Jeff Burlew , Ana Goñi-Lessan , Alaijah Brown , Tallahassee Democrat

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU active shooter: What to know about sheltering in place