The cop stepmother of suspected FSU gunman Phoenix Ikner taught the alleged killer how to handle guns, her sheriff's office has revealed.
Ikner, 20, was identified as the stepson ofLeon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jessica Ikner hours after terror swept the FSU Tallahassee campus on Thursday.
Two people were shot dead and six more were injured in the spree, with shocking footage showing the gunman targeting students and faculty as they ran for their lives.
Shonda Knight, a spokesperson for the Leon County Sheriff's Office, told Fox Newson Friday that Jessica Ikner was taking leave from law enforcement in response to her stepson's alleged murder spree while admitting her step-son was taught how to handle guns as a result of her position.
She said that as Phoenix was 'the son of a member of law enforcement, his family exposed him to safety as it relates to utilizing firearms.'
Knight said Ikner was taking time away to 'process this tragic situation', and insisted that she had done a 'tremendous job' as a deputy during her 18 years of service.
'This is a rough time for the Leon County Sheriff's Office, our entire community, and, of course, the victims and their families,' Knight continued.
The alleged killer's ties to the sheriff's department were revealed at a press conference, where officials said he was even a member of the office's Youth Advisory Council.
Knight explained that Ikner's group was created to be an 'opportunity for youth in our community to be able to express any concerns they had about crime prevention and safety and any of our initiatives, and for us to be to have an open dialog with youth in our community.'
Jessica Ikner (right), the cop stepmother of suspected FSU gunman Phoenix Ikner, taught the alleged killer how to handle guns, her sheriff's office has revealed
Phoenix Ikner, 20, was identified as the stepson of a Leon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy hours after terror swept the FSU Tallahassee campus on Thursday
At the press conference on Thursday, Leon County Sheriff Walter McNeil said Ikner 'had access' to his sheriff's deputy stepmother's weapons, and 'that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene.'
It was later clarified that the weapon was not in active service for law enforcement, and had been purchased by Jessica Ikner for her personal use after she received a newer gun from the sheriff's department.
Ikner was described by McNeil as 'steeped in the Leon County Sheriff's Office family.'
Knight insisted that Jessica was a devoted deputy who 'worked in variousunits, including our uniform patrol, our bailiff unit and school resource' teams.
She won the Leon County Sheriff's Office's LawEnforcement Employee of the Month in March 2024.
The investigation into Thursday's shooting is being led by the Tallahassee Police Department, and Knight said Leon County is cooperating.
'Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims of this horrific incident. We are, of course, a member of the law enforcement community. And we are grateful for all of our law enforcement partners who have practiced for days like yesterday, but always prayed that we never had to actually endure it,' she said.
Those that knew Ikner say he held 'white supremacist' beliefs and 'espoused far right rhetoric'
Ikner is allegedly seen in the above still stalking the campus with the firearm as the shooting unfolded on Thursday
Students gathered to pay their respects to the two lives lost and six injured Thursday night
'But our law-enforcement members responded swiftly, and lives were saved because of that.
'So we are grateful for all the partners who participated in ensuring the safety of our community. And we just ask for continuous thoughts and prayers as we all process the events of yesterday.'
It comes as officials identified the two victims who lost their lives in the attack as a dining manager and his boss who was in town for a visit.
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality regional vice president Tiru Chabba and FSU dining coordinator Robert Morales were gunned down at the Tallahassee campus.
Chabba, 45, lived in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and managed the South East region for the division of Aramark that provides catering to college campuses.
He was visiting FSU for meetings with staff and university officials and in the wrong place at the wrong time when Ikner opened fire.
Chabba worked for Aramark for more than 25 years, working his way up to his high-level position in October 2022.The father-of-two was mourned on social media by colleagues, some of whom described the chaotic scene.
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality regional vice president Tiru Chabba was killed in the Florida State University mass shooting on Thursday
Robert Morales was shot dead on the Tallahassee campus after 20-year-old student Phoenix Ikner allegedly opened fire
Phoenix Ikner, seen here, is currently in hospital while in custody after being shot by officers at the scene
'One of the victims who lost their life at FSU was my regional vice president of the company I work for,' FSU restaurant manager Anthony Cicatello wrote.
'I didn't know him well but the times I shook his hand in passing while visiting locations on campus I know he was great person and colleague.
'It's sad that we have to experience these things in our workplace let alone on a collegiate campus. We had a visiting group of 60 middle school kids touring campus and eating in our dining hall when this occurred.
'I can only imagine what those little kids were going through as they were underneath the chairs and tables in my dining hall fearing for their lives.'
Morales worked at the university as a dining coordinator for more than nine years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
'Today we lost my younger brother. He was one of the victims killed at FSU,' his older brother Ricardo said. 'He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter. I'm glad you were in my Life.'
The campus was locked down as gunfire erupted, with students ordered to shelter in place as first responders swarmed the site moments after the lunchtime shootings.
Ikner is in custody in hospital, after he was shot by officers at the scene.
One student prays with her hands clasped together as she paid respect to the victims of the tragic shooting
Witnesses spoke of chaos as people began running through the sprawling campus as shots rang out near the student union.
'Everyone just started running out of the student union,' a witness named Wayne told local news station WCTV.
'About a minute later, we heard about eight to 10 gunshots', he said he saw one man who appeared to have been shot in the midsection.
He added: 'The whole entire thing was just surreal. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. Everything was really quiet, then all chaotic.
Former classmates of Ikner have since said that he held 'white supremacist' beliefs and 'espoused far right rhetoric'.
Speaking to NBC after the shooting, a student who was once part of a 'political round table' with Ikner revealed he harbored white supremacist views.
'Basically our only rule was no Nazis — colloquially speaking — and he espoused so much white supremacist rhetoric and far right rhetoric as well,' Reid Seybold said.
Seybold, who was president of the club, said he had to kick Ikner out of the group due to his beliefs and rhetoric.
