Suspected Florida State University Shooter Indicted on Murder Charges in Campus Shooting That Left 2 Dead and 6 Injured
Phoenix Ikner charged with two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder in shooting incident.
A 20-year-old man accused of carrying out a deadly mass shooting on the Florida State University (FSU) campus in April has now been indicted by a grand jury. Phoenix Ikner faces two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm after the violence that left two dead and six others injured on April 17.
According to court documents, members of the grand jury described the attack as "our community's worst nightmare." The indictment provides new details about the events of the day, highlighting the response of FSU police officer Cody Poppell, who drove his motorcycle directly toward the gunfire in an attempt to confront the shooter. Officer Poppell fired at Ikner several times, ultimately striking him in the face and ending the rampage.
The grand jury determined Ikner used a stolen shotgun and a .45 caliber pistol—both weapons reportedly taken from his parents' home—to terrorize the campus. Authorities say his actions were deliberate and calculated, escalating fear and chaos across the university grounds.
The two individuals who lost their lives in the shooting have been identified as Robert Morales and Tiru Chabba. - Six others suffered injuries but are expected to recover.
Chabba's family released a statement through their attorney shortly after the indictment, expressing hope that these legal proceedings will lead to some measure of healing. "Our hope is that, through the thorough and transparent investigation and prosecution of the events surrounding last month’s shooting, today’s court appearance will mark the first steps toward closure for a family that suffered so much," the statement said.
Ikner himself spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from a severe jaw injury sustained during his confrontation with law enforcement. His initial court appearance following his release took place online earlier this week. Photographs released afterwards showed significant facial disfigurement resulting from his injuries.
At his court appearance before Circuit Court Judge Monique Richardson in Leon County, Ikner was found indigent and was assigned a public defender, Randall Harper. Due to his stepmother's position as a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff's Office, Ikner is being held without bond at the Wakulla County Detention Facility—a standard procedure in cases involving relatives of local law enforcement.
Tallahassee Chief of Police Lawrence Revell commented on the case, emphasizing the commitment of local law enforcement agencies to serve the community:
"In any case, especially one of this magnitude, the Tallahassee Police Department has the highest commitment to justice, transparency, and the safety of our community," Revell stated. "We are grateful for the work of our detectives, officers, medical personnel, and partner agencies who helped bring us to this point."
As the legal process proceeds, attention remains focused on both the survivors' recovery and the ongoing impact of the tragedy on the FSU community.
