On April 17, two lives were taken on the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee, Florida. This shooting has sparked conversation and protest over gun reform at the state and federal levels. 

Gabrielle Camp, a graduate student at Florida State University, talked about what she witnessed.

“I was sitting outside drinking coffee when I first heard the gunfire. I thought it was construction or someone’s car misfiring. Then I saw people running from the union.” 

“I wasn’t sure why they were running, so I tried to ask what was happening, they said “someone’s shooting”. Bellamy was the closest building to me, so I ran up 4 flights of stairs and made it to the history department where I sheltered while waiting for the police.”  

Some students who survived the Parkland shooting in 2018 were at Florida State during the shooting, and survived 2 mass shootings within a 7 year timespan. 

Phoenix Ikner was identified as the suspect, and he is the stepson of a Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy. 

In Memoriam

Two were killed and six were injured during the shooting.

 One of the victims is 57-year-old Robert Morales, who was a dining coordinator at FSU and worked in the student union.

 45-year-old Tiru Chabba is from Greenville, South Carolina. He was working for a vendor on campus. 

Staying Safe at Georgia Southern

Following incidents like this, it’s important to know the safest protocol if a dangerous situation were to arise. On our campus, the Eagle Alert system is utilized during life-threatening situations. When an Eagle Alert is issued, it will be communicated through emails, phone calls, text messages, social media and on the Georgia Southern website. 

Alerts will tell students what to do in the event of an emergency. These plans include: securing in place, sheltering in place, seeking safe refuge, and evacuation. 

Resources 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline – Call 988 

Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

Mental Health Resource Finder – Call 211