TALLAHASSEE, Florida — During a case management conference held Wednesday at the Tallahassee courthouse, Judge Lance Neff set the jury selection date in the Phoenix Ikner case for the week of November 3, 2025.
Phoenix Ikner, 20, is a political science student at Florida State University and the son of a local sheriff's deputy. He is accused of opening fire on the university campus around noon on April 17, 2025. The shooting shook the student body and sent shockwaves across the nation.
History of the Attack and Criminal Investigation
According to Tallahassee police, Ikner shot another political science student, seriously wounding him. Two other people were killed in the attack: Robert Morales, a campus food service manager and former assistant football coach at Leon High School, and Tiru Chabba.
The shooter was stopped thanks to a swift, multi-agency response by law enforcement. The grand jury investigation, based on police body camera footage, campus surveillance feeds, and witness videos, concluded that Ikner acted alone. It was also determined that his shotgun malfunctioned, slowing the attack.
Phoenix Ikner made his initial court appearance on April 17, shortly after the incident. He remains in custody pending trial, which is scheduled for the months following jury selection.
A Highly Anticipated Trial
This case has captured the attention of the residents of Tallahassee and the university community. The victims' families, students, and staff are waiting for justice. The focus of the trial will be to shed light on the defendant's motives, as well as any security breaches that may have enabled this attack.
The exact trial date is expected to be confirmed after jury selection. In the meantime, vigilance remains in place on the Florida State University campus, and psychological support is being offered to students and staff affected by this tragedy.
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