All 6 Florida State shooting victims expected to make full recovery, hospital says

Flowers were placed near the site on Thursday following a shooting that left eight individuals injured, resulting in the deaths of two people at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. The incident occurred on Thursday, as confirmed by a photograph from Don Hayes/EPA-EFE.

On Friday, the hospital stated that all six individuals wounded in the mass shooting at Florida State University are expected to fully recover. The two individuals who lost their lives were not students and have only been identified by family members associated with the university’s dining operations. Dr. Brett Howard, a general surgeon at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, praised the bravery of the victims, stating that they all managed to communicate with medical staff despite the initial shock.

The suspected shooter, 20-year-old Florida State student Phoenix Ikner, was injured during a confrontation with law enforcement and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Dr. Howard, accompanied by a group of colleagues, refrained from confirming whether Ikner was a patient at their hospital. The victims were promptly treated upon arrival at the trauma center, with three individuals expected to be discharged on Friday and the others remaining in stable condition.

Among the deceased were identified Robert Morales, a long-time dining worker at the university, and Tiru Chabba, a regional vice president at Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. The shooting took place near the Student Union where meals are served. Morales was attending a meeting with university employees at the time of the incident and was also an assistant football coach at Leon High School. Chabba, a father of two and husband, was described as a loving father and devoted husband by attorney Bakari Sellers.

A memorial has been growing outside the Student Union as the university community mourns the tragic event. The university has closed the Student Union and other buildings for the time being as law enforcement continues to gather evidence. Classes have been canceled, and a vigil was held to honor the victims, with FSU President Richard McCullough emphasizing the importance of the community’s response to the tragedy.

Phoenix Ikner, the accused shooter, is the stepson of a Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputy, Jessica Ikner. The sheriff’s office is investigating how Ikner accessed a weapon belonging to the deputy. Ikner, a political science major at FSU, was involved in extracurricular activities and had changed his name from Christian Gunnar Eriksen in 2020.

The tragic incident has deeply impacted the university and the entire region as the community comes to terms with the senseless violence that occurred.