On April 17, President Donald Trump spoke with reporters about a tragic mass shooting that occurred at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee. The incident left two people dead and injured at least six others. The police have apprehended a suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, who is currently in custody. Notably, the victims were not students at the university.
While addressing the media in the Oval Office, Trump was asked whether he intended to make changes to gun laws following this incident. He expressed strong support for the Second Amendment, stating he has always upheld it. “These events are heartbreaking,” Trump remarked, however he emphasized that it is not the gun itself that causes harm but the actions of individuals.
The former president indicated that he would share more comments on the situation later but did not plan to advocate for any legislative changes regarding guns. He reiterated his commitment to protecting the Second Amendment, highlighting that this has always been a priority for him.
Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also shared his condolences through a video message. He stated that he and his wife, Casey, were praying for the victims and the entire FSU community. DeSantis emphasized that justice would be pursued for the victims and thanked first responders for their quick actions that prevented further harm.
In a press conference, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil noted that the suspect, Ikner, is the son of a sheriff’s deputy. Authorities suspect that Ikner is a student at FSU, and the investigation is being led by the Florida State University Police Department.
Three firearms have been discovered in connection with the shooting: one handgun was found with Ikner, another handgun was located in his vehicle, and a shotgun was recovered from the student union. As of now, the motive for the shooting remains unclear.
