Crime
Victims in FSU Shooting Identified as Aramark Employee and Campus Dining Services Employee
All surviving victims are expected to make a full recovery.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is continuing to treat several victims following the mass shooting on the Florida State University campus that left two people dead and six others wounded on Thursday.
Hospital officials confirmed that patients were admitted with gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen, with three individuals requiring surgical intervention.
As of 9 a.m. Friday, two patients were expected to be discharged, while three others were reported to be in improving condition.
One patient remains in fair condition.
All surviving victims are expected to make a full recovery.
The two individuals killed in the incident were identified as food service workers. One of the victims, Robert Morales, was a campus dining employee originally from Miami-Dade County.
Morales, who had worked at FSU since 2015, is survived by his wife and daughter.
His family issued a statement via social media: “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 deceased victim was an employee of Aramark, the university’s food services contractor.
The individual’s name has not yet been publicly released.
In a statement, an Aramark spokesperson expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy:
“We are heartbroken to confirm that an Aramark employee was among those killed at FSU yesterday in that senseless act of violence. We are absolutely shaken by the news, and our deepest sympathies are with the family and our entire Aramark community.”
Hospital leadership also acknowledged the community’s support:
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support for our emergency, trauma, and nursing teams. We are honored to be the hospital providing care to these patients,” TMH stated.
The suspected gunman, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, remains hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Ikner, a Florida State University student, is the son of a veteran deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said he used one of his stepmother’s firearms during the shooting.
In a press release issued Friday morning, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell described the attack as a “heinous and despicable act of violence.”
“Our hearts are with the victims, families, students, and larger Florida State University community in the wake of this tragedy,” Revell said. “Sadly, two adult males were killed, and five others were injured by gunfire. An eighth individual sustained injuries while attempting to flee. The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, remains in custody, and the investigation remains active. We are committed to bringing justice to the victims.”
The university announced it will host a candlelight vigil Friday evening at Langford Green to honor the victims.
In addition, mental health and counseling resources will be available to students from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Askew Student Life Center.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.