Introduction to the Incident
Florida State University junior McKenzie Heeter decided to grab lunch on what she described as a "normal" day on campus. The communications major from Jacksonville was making the short walk back to her apartment with her food when she saw a guy in an orange Hummer pull up in the area of the student union.
Description of the Shooter
"I just know it looked like a normal college white dude – khaki shorts, t-shirt, he had a really nice car," Heeter told NBC6 over the phone. "…to me, he just looked like a student – until he pulled out the gun." Heeter said the person waved around a rifle, let out a shot towards her and another group of students, but missed.
The Shooting Incident
A Florida State University student said she saw how a man took out a rifle, fired and missed. Then he took out a "pistol," and shot a woman in the back. "I just ran and could hear the shots echoing," witness McKenzie Heeter told NBC6. "We all got kind of really alarmed, like, what the heck?" she said. "And then he turns back into his car and gets the pistol. And that’s when he turns forward and shoots the lady in front of him in the back while she was walking."
Aftermath of the Shooting
Heeter booked it. "I just ran, and I could hear the shots echoing," she said. Officials said the 20-year-old suspect is the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputy. On Thursday afternoon, police responded to a report of an active shooter on the Tallahassee campus. Currently, two people have died and five people have been hospitalized. A shooter is in custody. Officials haven’t released any information on identity, age or motive, but they are believed to be an FSU student.
Witness Account and Reaction
"He like, looked angry… when he got the pistol and turned toward the other lady and just shot her, I knew he had no target and it was just, like, you know, shoot everybody. And that’s when I took off," she said. The junior said she wasn’t supposed to be on campus that day, but decided to grab lunch because "it was a nice day." She said she was only a couple of yards away from the shooter. "It could’ve been me," she said. Heeter called her mom, screaming and crying as she made the five-minute run back to her apartment while telling everyone she saw not to go to campus.
Campus Reaction and Support
"I just feel lucky …I just keep thinking about the woman in purple scrubs," Heeter said, her voice breaking. The campus is in a state of shock and panic, but Heeter said she feels the community is resilient. “Today was a very terrible day. But we will get through it together. There are amazing people at FSU … and I feel strongly that it might take some time, but we will be able to come back together again," she said.
Conclusion
The incident at Florida State University has left the community in shock and mourning. The bravery and resilience of students like McKenzie Heeter, who witnessed the shooting and shared her account, are a testament to the strength of the human spirit. As the university and the community come to terms with what happened, it is essential to focus on healing, support, and unity.
FAQs
Q: What happened at Florida State University?
A: A shooting incident occurred on the Tallahassee campus, resulting in two deaths and five hospitalizations.
Q: Who is the suspect?
A: The 20-year-old suspect is the son of a Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputy and is believed to be an FSU student.
Q: What was the motive behind the shooting?
A: Officials have not released any information on the motive behind the shooting.
Q: How is the campus community reacting?
A: The campus is in a state of shock and panic, but students and faculty are coming together to support each other and show resilience.
