Crime
Aramark Regional Vice President Tiru Chabba Identified as Second Victim in FSU Mass Shooting
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH) continues to treat victims of the tragic mass shooting that occurred Thursday at Florida State University, which claimed the lives of two individuals and left six others injured.
Hospital officials confirmed that several victims arrived with gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.
Three patients required emergency surgery.
As of 9 a.m. Friday, two of the victims were expected to be discharged later in the day.
Three others are showing signs of recovery, while one patient remains in fair condition.
All are expected to make a full recovery.
The two deceased victims have been identified as food service employees at FSU.
One of them, Robert Morales, was a campus dining worker originally from Miami-Dade County.
His family confirmed his death in a heartfelt message on social media, stating, “Today we lost my younger Brother. He was one of the victims killed at FSU. He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter.”
The second victim has been identified as Tiru Chabba, Regional Vice President for Aramark’s Southeast Division.
Chabba had been with Aramark for more than 25 years, starting as a student manager in 2000 at Coastal Carolina University and rising through the ranks to become a respected leader in collegiate hospitality.
In a company-wide message, Aramark expressed its profound sorrow over the loss:
“It is with deep sadness that I share the news that our beloved Tiru Chabba was a victim of the mass shooting today at Florida State University. For over 25 years, Tiru has been a part of the Aramark family. This senseless act robbed us of a valued colleague and friend, and a family of their treasured husband and father.”
“Tiru was a trusted colleague and a good, good friend. He was admired by colleagues and clients alike. I will miss Tiru badly. Simply put, I am heartbroken.”
Aramark also confirmed they are offering support to Chabba’s family and providing resources to employees processing the loss.
TMH expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support shown to its emergency, trauma, and nursing teams, stating,
“We are honored to be the hospital providing care to these patients.”
The suspected shooter, identified as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that Ikner is the son of a veteran deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
In a press release Friday morning, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell stated:
“Our hearts are with the victims, families, students, and larger Florida State University community in the wake of this tragedy. What occurred today was a heinous and despicable act of violence. Sadly, as a result of this shooting, two adult males were killed, and five other victims were injured by gunfire. An eighth individual sustained injuries while fleeing the scene.”
Chief Revell added that the crime scenes have been processed and that the investigation remains ongoing.
“TPD is committed to bringing justice to the victims in this case,” he said.
Florida State University will hold a vigil Friday evening at Langford Green to honor the lives lost and those affected.
Mental health resources and counseling services are being made available to students at the Askew Student Life Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.