A 20-year-old opened fire outside the student union at Florida State University, killing two people and injuring six others. The suspect, Phoenix Eichner, was arrested at the scene.
The Shooter’s Background
Eichner is the son of a deputy chief with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The gun used in the shooting belonged to his mother, Jessica Eichner, a former police officer with 18 years of service.
The Incident
The shooting occurred during lunchtime, sending students and bystanders scrambling for cover. Some took shelter in a freight elevator and a bowling alley within the building. Classes were canceled for the rest of the day, and all sports events were scrapped over the weekend.
Response from Authorities
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his condolences and promised to take all necessary measures to ensure public safety. President Donald Trump, who was hosting the Italian Prime Minister at the time, also conveyed his sympathies and reaffirmed his support for constitutional gun rights.
This incident marks the second major shooting at the university in a decade. In 2014, a library shooting injured three people, and the perpetrator was killed by police.