Introduction to the Incident
Two days after a shooting at Florida State University claimed the lives of two people and injured several others, classes are set to resume on Monday, the university’s president said.
FSU President Richard McCullough made the announcement on Saturday in an X post, where he also acknowledged the tragic event and encouraged students and staff affected by the incident to reach out to mental health services at the university.
University Response
Dear FSU Family,
Our hearts are heavy after the tragedy that took place April 17. We are grieving with the families and friends who lost someone they love. And we are with all those who were injured and are now recovering. This has shaken all of us, and I want you to know: We…
— FSU President Richard McCullough (@PresMcCullough) April 19, 2025
The victims who were killed in the shooting were identified as Robert Morales, a Miami-Dade man who founded a popular Cuban restaurant, and Tiru Chabba, a South Carolina man who was a father of two.
## Investigation and Arrest
Following the shooting, law enforcement was able to take the alleged gunman into custody. He was identified as 20-year-old political science student Phoenix Ikner.
Officials said Ikner is the son of a sheriff’s deputy and used his mother’s former service weapon in the shooting.
All of those wounded in the shooting at Florida State University in Tallahassee on Thursday are expected to make a full recovery, a surgeon said.
## Reaction to the Decision to Resume Classes
FSU’s College Democrats released a statement criticizing McCullough’s decision to resume operations at the university.
In a video posted on X, McCullough said the university will be flexible with students who need time or are not ready to return.
“I know this will not feel like a typical week, it’s the last one before finals and many of you are still processing what happened,” he said. “We understand that and we understand that some of you may not be able to return on Monday.”
## Student Reactions
NBC6 spoke to a student who was affected by the shooting.
“About as well as one can be doing given the circumstances,” Madaln Propst said. “I’ve just really been around friends, I’ve been talking to my mom a lot, just trying to figure out how to move forward.”
Propst is a freshman, and like some other students, she said the university was not prepared for a mass shooting.
She said the classroom’s doors didn’t unlock and professors weren’t trained to respond to a mass shooting.
“There were people that were trying the doors together with laptop chargers and sweaters,” she said. “There was a professor who held the door shut for 90 minutes and people made a barricade around him. It’s irresponsible to not have a way for our professors to lock the doors from the inside.”
## Current Status of the Alleged Shooter
The alleged shooter is still recovering in the hospital while possible charges are pending.
## Conclusion
The shooting at Florida State University has left a profound impact on the community, with many still grappling with the aftermath. As classes resume, the university will need to address concerns about safety and preparedness for such incidents. The decision to resume classes has been met with criticism, but the university has assured flexibility for those who need it. The road to recovery will be long, and it is crucial for the university to support its students and staff through this difficult time.
## FAQs
Q: When will classes resume at Florida State University?
A: Classes are set to resume on Monday.
Q: Who were the victims of the shooting?
A: The victims were identified as Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba.
Q: Who is the alleged gunman?
A: The alleged gunman is 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, a political science student.
Q: What support is being offered to students and staff affected by the incident?
A: The university is encouraging students and staff to reach out to mental health services and has assured flexibility for those who need time or are not ready to return to classes.
